Indian para-badminton star and gold medalist Nitesh Kumar has raised concerns about the lack of transparency and poor administration in the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Nitesh Kumar , who won gold in the SL3 category at the Paris Paralympics after defeating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell, expressed his dissatisfaction with the BAI’s handling of para-athletes, despite India’s remarkable achievement in winning five badminton medals at the event.
While the BAI recently announced cash prizes for medalists—INR 15 lakh for Nitesh Kumar , INR 10 lakh for silver medalists Suhas and Thulasimathi, and INR 7.5 lakh for bronze winners Manisha and Nithya—Nitesh Kumar believes the move was prompted by his public criticism on social media. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Nitesh Kumar revealed that his demands for better administration, communication, and transparency have largely gone unanswered by the BAI, despite the cash rewards.
The Paralympian highlighted several issues with the BAI’s administration. He noted delays in securing essential travel documents, such as visas for an upcoming tournament in Tokyo on October 22, with just days left for the event. Nitesh Kumar criticized the consistent delays in booking hotels and flights for international tournaments, often resulting in logistical challenges upon arrival, including inadequate transportation and hospitality.
Communication between the BAI and athletes has been another area of concern. Nitesh Kumar pointed out that players are only communicated with through WhatsApp groups, which are restricted to admins, preventing athletes from voicing their concerns or clarifying details. He recounted instances where email requests for important accommodations, such as early arrival for tournaments or single-room preferences, were verbally approved but never confirmed in writing, leaving players uncertain and anxious. Nitesh Kumar also mentioned instances where tournament entries were missed due to miscommunication, further complicating the athletes’ schedules.
Nitesh Kumar ’s final demand is for greater transparency from the BAI. He emphasized that current policies make athletes uncomfortable, with little consideration given to their concerns. According to him, athletes often feel sidelined by the administration, and there is a growing need for clearer, more athlete-friendly policies.
The gold medalist’s public criticism of the BAI comes in the wake of India’s impressive performance in para-badminton at the Paris Paralympics, but also highlights a deeper issue of inadequate support and recognition for para-athletes. Nitesh Kumar’s call for reform is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring better treatment, facilities, and pay parity for para-badminton players in India, in the hope that the BAI will take action to address these concerns and create a more inclusive sports environment.
