BWF World Championships 2026: Trupti Murgunde on India’s Big Boost

Seventeen years after competing at the World Championships in Hyderabad, former India badminton player Trupti Murgunde feels the return of the prestigious tournament to the nation stands as a reflection of India’s remarkable sporting growth over the last decade.

The BWF World Championships 2026 is slated for an August 17 start here at the IG Stadium. This is only the second time that India is hosting this badminton tournament; Hyderabad was the venue previously in 2009.

“It’s extremely a proud moment for all the Indian Sporting fraternity that we have got it again after 17 years,” Murgunde told SAI Media. “Especially I would say the last 8 to 10 years of Indian Sports has been fantastic. We’ve seen amazing results coming in all multiple events as well as getting all these kinds of international events. It is really imperative right now and essential,” she said.

Trupti Murgunde highlights India’s growing sporting profile

For Murgunde, the significance goes beyond badminton. She pointed to the growing push to bring major international competitions to India across sporting disciplines, adding that repeated exposure to elite events continues to have a lasting impact on the country’s sporting ecosystem.

“We’ve also heard our Hon’ble Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya also mentioning how much we are looking forward to having the international events coming to India in general across all sports,” she added.

BWF World Championships 2026 offers boost to young Indian shuttlers

Having played at the 2009 edition, Murgunde also feels that a home World Championships can mean the world for the current generation of Indian shuttlers. With India set to field a mix of experienced campaigners and newcomers in Delhi, she believes the younger players stand to gain enormously from competing on home soil.

“For the upcoming players, it is the best platform, I would say, because you’re getting a fantastic opportunity to showcase your talent, your performances in your home ground,” she mentioned to SAI Media.

“When you are playing in the home ground it’s a very different atmosphere. We’ve seen that when the India Open happens or any other major events are happening in India. It always makes a huge difference. For the youngsters, again, having these events more and more in your own country makes much easier and better for them. That effect stays on for long,” the 2006 Commonwealth Games medallist added.