PM Modi tweets: India scripts a historic win, congratulates players

Upon returning from Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India’s badminton team for their Thomas Cup victory and invited them to his residence.

The PM never forgets to applaud the achievements of athletes, and on Sunday, he promptly dialled the players to congratulate them on their stupendous success, thanked their parents for helping them develop into world beaters and doing the country proud with their exploits on the global stage.

Against 14-time champions Indonesia, the Indian men’s team produced a historic performance and won 3-0.

“You’ve all done it… Congratulations!” Prime Minister Modi described the victory as “one of India’s finest sporting victories.”

He also interacted with them over the phone.

A special interaction with our badminton 🏸 champions, who have won the Thomas Cup and made 135 crore Indians proud. pic.twitter.com/KdRYVscDAK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2022

Kidambi Srikanth spoke first, followed by Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Chirag Shetty, all of whom were accompanied by their teammates.

During his conversation with the players, the PM brought up the fact that India won the finals without losing a single game. That’s what he said made the victory even more memorable.

The Prime Minister stated that his office would handle the players’ visit to his residence.

The Prime Minister was aware of India’s record in the tournament and inquired as to when the team began to believe that it could go all the way and create history.

In Srikanth’s words, the team only began to believe that it was capable of more after its victory over Malaysia in the quarterfinals. They echoed Srikanth’s sentiments and thanked the PM for his support and encouragement.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the team’s coaches and noted that the quarterfinals were a close match.

One of the greatest sporting achievements in India’s history was achieved by Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and the doubles duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.

When it mattered most, Sen delivered an 8-21, 21-17, 21-16 comeback win over world number five Anthony Sinisuka Ginting to give India the 1-0 lead in the second round of competition.

Finally, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty showed their nerves of steel by saving four match points in the second game to defeat Mohammad Ahsan and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 18-21, 23-21, 21-19 in the second round.

Second singles champion Srikanth outplayed Asian Games gold medalist Jonatan Christie 21-15, 23-21 in less than an hour to win the match in Singapore.

The Indian men’s badminton team, which made history by winning the coveted Thomas Cup title for the first time, received a cash award of Rs 1 crore from Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.

India defeated 14-time champions Indonesia 3-0 in the Thomas Cup final in Bangkok on Sunday, setting a new record for the most wins in a final.

Securing the Thomas Cup with victories over Malaysia, Denmark, and Indonesia in their play-offs “required a relaxation of rules,” stated Thakur in a statement.

With pride, I announce the award of Rs 1 crore to the team that brought so much joy to Indians this weekend.

After India’s historic victory over Pakistan, Thakur praised the team’s players, coaches, and other backroom staff.

Each time they took the court, Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy came out on top. Five of six matches were decided by decisive points for SatwiksairakjRankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s doubles team, including all three in the knockout stage,” he said.

Against Indonesia, Lakshya Sen displayed a steely resolve.” MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila, as well as Krishna Prasad Garaga, Panjala Vishnuvardhan Goud, and Priyanshu Rajawat, will have gained a lot from this historic campaign.”

The Sports Ministry attributed the team’s unprecedented success to the training and competition support it provided to the players.

“The players’ fitness was improved during a 10-week National Camp that began in January. Mathias Boe’s appointment as a coach for the doubles teams has received significant support, according to a statement.

For the past four years, the Ministry of Sports has provided the Indian badminton team with training and competition funding totaling Rs 67.19 crore, which includes the salaries of both foreign and domestic coaches.

There have been as many as 14 international exposure trips funded at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore by the Ministry in the last year alone.

The Indian badminton team has scripted history! The entire nation is elated by India winning the Thomas Cup! Congratulations to our accomplished team and best wishes to them for their future endeavours. This win will motivate so many upcoming sportspersons.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2022