"जीत मैंने भी दर्ज की लेकिन कोई इनाम नहीं मिला," टीम इंडिया को 11 करोड़ देने पर भड़का बैडमिंटन खिलाड़ी
Indian badminton legend Chirag Shetty has accused the Maharashtra government of bias towards Indian players. The state government felicitated the Indian men's cricket team that won the T20 World Cup in Mumbai and announced a cash award of Rs 11 crore for the cricketers.
Despite Chirag's significant achievements in badminton, including winning the Thomas Cup and World Championships bronze medal in 2022 and the men's doubles gold medal at the Asian Games in 2023, his efforts were not recognised by his home state. They also secured multiple BWF World Tour titles and became part of the first Indian pair to reach World No. 1 in men's doubles.
Chirag expressed his disappointment over this disparity. According to the Times of India, Chirag said that the Thomas Cup is equivalent to winning the World Cup. I was part of the Indian badminton team that won its first title by defeating champions Indonesia in the final. I was the only player from Maharashtra in the Indian team. When the government can honour cricket stars who won the World Cup, they should also recognise my efforts. The government should look at any other sport equally.
In 2022, India defeated defending champions Indonesia 3-0 in Bangkok to win their maiden Thomas Cup title. Chirag and his partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy played a key role in this historic victory.
Chirag said that before 2022, India had never reached the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup, but that year they made history by winning. He said he did not receive any honour or award from his state government.
"We had achieved some remarkable feats a few years ago, but the state government did not even honour me, leave alone give me cash awards," he said. The 27-year-old shuttler is currently preparing for the Paris Olympics.
Chirag made it clear that he has no grudge against cricket or cricketers. "I am not against cricket. In fact, all of us badminton players watched the T20 World Cup final live on TV and enthusiastically celebrated. We are happy and proud of their sensational win against South Africa in the final.
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