Indian badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy on Friday clarified that his recent comments about the lack of public response after India won a bronze medal in the Thomas Cup were not about seeking “money or grand parades”, but about asking people to support and celebrate achievements in all sports.Satwik and his doubles partner Chirag Shetty, who are currently ranked world No. 4 and are also Asian Games champions, were part of the Indian team that won bronze at the Thomas Cup in Denmark.
After returning from Denmark, Satwik had posted on social media: “Back home now. As usual, no one knows what happened over the past two weeks, and it seems like no one really cares.”On Friday, the 25-year-old shared another post to explain what he meant.“The last few days have brought a lot of attention to my recent comments regarding the lack of a reception for our Thomas Cup bronze medal. While I am grateful for the overwhelming support and encouragement, I want to clarify my intent because I see many people deviating from the original point,” Satwik wrote.“My words did not come from a place of wanting personal fame or taking credit away from anyone else’s achievements. I have the utmost respect for every athlete who brings glory to India, regardless of the sport.”“My message was simple: we need to foster a culture that encourages and celebrates every win, big or small,” he added.Satwik said performances in tournaments like the Thomas Cup come after years of hard work and sacrifice, and it feels “disheartening” when such achievements do not get enough attention.“Whether it is a World Cup medal or a podium finish in a global championship like the Thomas Cup, these moments represent years of sacrifice and hard work,” he wrote.“When such milestones are met with silence, it feels disheartening not just for us, but for the future generations of Indian athletes who are watching.”“We don’t want money or grand parades; we just want to know that our country is watching and that our efforts are seen. Let’s come together to support all sports with the same passion and ‘angle’.”
