New Delhi [India], August 24 (ANI): Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul has praised India for successfully hosting the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, describing the tournament as a memorable week and thanking the country for opening its doors to the badminton world.
The World Championships concluded on August 23 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, marking India's return as host of badminton's biggest event after 17 years.
"What a week New Delhi has given us. India waited 17 years for this moment, and India made every year count," Leeswadtrakul said in a statement from the BWF.
The BWF President credited the Badminton Association of India (BAI), the Government of India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India, volunteers, officials, sponsors and partners for helping deliver the tournament.
"The BWF World Championships 2026 have won praise from every corner of our sport. That praise belongs to the people," she said.
"The Badminton Association of India hosted these championships and held everything together over many months, from the first day to the last. The Government of India believed in this event. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports drove it forward. The Sports Authority of India delivered the arena," she added.
Leeswadtrakul also praised the venue and the effort that went into creating facilities for the championships within a demanding timeline.
"Under a demanding timeline, India built a facility worthy of badminton's biggest stage," she said.
The BWF President also highlighted the contribution of volunteers and technical officials, whose work behind the scenes helped ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament.
"Our volunteers gave countless days with a smile. Our technical officials worked long hours, calm, professional and full of pride. Much of what they did happened far from the cameras, and none of this could have happened without them," she said.
According to Leeswadtrakul, the players' experience remained at the centre of the tournament, with participating athletes and team officials praising the courts, playing conditions and arrangements.
"The players came first, and it showed. Good hotels, reliable transport and facilities that allowed them to prepare in peace. Players and team officials praised our courts, our conditions and everything around them. That matters more than anything," she said.
The championships also marked a memorable campaign for India on court. The hosts secured one medal through women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who won bronze.
The world No. 39 Indian pair defeated three seeded combinations on their way to the semifinals, ending India's 15-year wait for a women's doubles medal at the World Championships. Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had last achieved the feat in 2011.
India's overall record at the BWF World Championships stands at 16 medals -- one gold, four silver and 11 bronze -- across editions.
Leeswadtrakul said the impact of hosting the championships extended beyond the competition itself, particularly among young fans who attended the tournament.
"Away from the court, families found comfort here, and children discovered a sport they may love for life. A host is judged by who it thinks about, and this host thought about everyone," she said.
The BWF President also singled out India's passionate badminton fans and the potential impact of the tournament on the next generation.
"Yet beyond the medals and the matches, I will remember the children most. Many of them came to see the finest players in the world. Some held a racket for the first time. One or two may return one day to collect a medal of their own," she said.
"That is what a great host leaves behind. Not only a tournament, but a beginning." Leeswadtrakul concluded her message with a simple note of gratitude to the host nation: "Thank you, India." (ANI)
BWF President hails India after successful World Championships in New Delhi
