Satwiksairaj hits back at trolls after 'no one cares for badminton' remark: 'Celebrate everyone who wears India jersey'

Star Indian shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy has once again urged fans to support every sport and foster a culture where every win is celebrated instead of being pitted against one another.

Satwiksairaj, who was world number one alongside his men's doubles partner Chirag Shetty, had attracted a lot of trolling after saying that the general public does not care about badminton and is busy with "IPL, politics" among other things.

Satwiksairaj was a key member of the Indian team which won bronze at the recent Thomas Cup and also played a stellar role in India's historic gold medal win in 2022. However, he feels the badminton stars do not get any recognition in the country

Satwiksairaj gives detailed clarification

His comments triggered a storm on social media with many handles trolling Indian badminton stars for only winning bronze. Satwiksairaj has hit back on the trolling and said that he does not want any comparisons with other sports as each win is worth celebrating.

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"The last few days have brought a lot of attention to my recent comments regarding the lack of reception for our Thomas Cup bronze medal. While I am grateful for all the overwhelming support and encouragement, I want to clarify my intent because I see many people deviating from the original point,” Satwiksairaj wrote in a statement shared on X.

“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,” he added.

He once again stressed on the fact that India needs to build a sporting culture so that wins in global events like Thomas Cup are celebrated instead of being met with silence.

“My message was simple: we need to foster a culture that encourages and celebrates every win, big or small. 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. When such milestones are met with silence, it feels disheartening not just for us, but for the future generation of Indian athletes who are watching,” Satwiksairaj further added.

"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." Next time, let it not be about who won more or less, but about celebrating everyone who wears the India jersey. Thank you for standing by me. Let's keep praying for the (national flag)," he added.