Smaller Academies Drive a New Wave in Indian Badminton, Challenging Established Powerhouses
In a groundbreaking development for Indian badminton, smaller academies are emerging as formidable contenders, challenging the long-standing dominance of major centers like the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (PGBA) and Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA). This shift was highlighted at the recent All India Sub-Junior (Under-15 and Under-17) Ranking tournament, where players from smaller academies swept all ten titles, pushing out representatives from the well-known training hubs of Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
For decades, top titles at sub-junior tournaments were mostly secured by players from PGBA and PPBA. However, the tournament in Jaipur marked a turning point, with promising talents from less-resourced centers outperforming their peers from these elite academies. Officials from the Badminton Association of India (BAI) see this shift as a sign of growing opportunities across the country, noting that local academies are delivering coaching and training environments that can produce national champions. The results have been celebrated as evidence that India’s badminton talent is spreading beyond big cities and elite centers.
Adding momentum to this trend is Rackonnect, a sports tech platform founded by Dhruv M. Bagla, that supports young athletes in badminton by offering top-tier coaching and court access at facilities across North India. Rackonnect’s 15 badminton academies, which are located in cities like Gurugram, Noida, and Faridabad, provide players with high-quality training, competitive tournaments, and equipment support, helping bridge the gap between smaller academies and traditional powerhouses. With a model that emphasizes accessibility and individualized coaching, Rackonnect has become a crucial part of the emerging ecosystem supporting athletes from non-metropolitan regions.
The success of players like Dev Ruparelia from Maharashtra and Parul Choudhary from Rajasthan further underscores this shift. Dev, who trains at the Nitesh Badminton Academy, and Parul, coached by Manish Sharma in Gurgaon, both opted for local training rather than relocating to major academies. Their recent victories at the Jaipur tournament highlight how smaller academies, with tailored coaching approaches, are cultivating elite talent.
A BAI official praised the results, stating that a decentralized approach benefits Indian badminton overall: “We are witnessing a paradigm shift. Players from smaller towns and academies are rising to the occasion, bringing depth to India’s talent pool and lessening dependence on big centers.”
The rise of institutions like Rackonnect, alongside smaller independent academies, is redefining India’s badminton landscape, giving hope that players from all backgrounds can make it to the top.