Saina Nehwal Attends Chief Minister's Cup Closing Ceremony in Hyderabad
Olympian shuttler Saina Nehwal graced the closing ceremony of the Chief Minister's Cup 2025 in Hyderabad on Tuesday, extending her gratitude to the Telangana government for the invitation. The event, held at the LB Stadium, saw participation from key dignitaries, including Telangana Minister Vakiti Srihari and Telangana State Sports Authority Chairman Shivasena Reddy.
Nehwal's Message of Support for Telangana Athletes
In her address, Nehwal congratulated all winners of the Chief Minister's Cup, praising their performances. "I'm feeling very proud to see so many players coming from Telangana," she stated. She expressed optimism that athletes from the state would secure more medals at various competitive levels. Nehwal also took the opportunity to wish the Indian badminton contingent good luck for the upcoming 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup in Horsens, Denmark.
Focus on Grassroots Development Through Chief Minister's Cup
The Chief Minister's Cup is a state-wide sports initiative launched by the Telangana government. Its primary objective is to foster talent at the grassroots level and build a sustainable sports ecosystem across the state. By providing a platform for young athletes, the program aims to identify and nurture future champions who can represent Telangana and India on larger stages.
Indian Squad for 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup Announced
In related news, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has unveiled the squad for the 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup, scheduled from April 24 to May 3 in Denmark. The men's team retains the core of the historic 2022 Thomas Cup-winning side, featuring:
- Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy in singles
- The established doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
- Young talent Ayush Shetty, earning a maiden call-up after consistent senior circuit performances
For the women's competition, PV Sindhu will lead the charge, supported by top doubles pair Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly. The team includes in-form youngsters such as Unnati Hooda, Devika Sihag, Isharani Baruah, and teenager Tanvi Sharma, aiming to improve upon previous semifinal finishes.
Nehwal specifically wished good luck to PV Sindhu and all players, noting their experience and expressing hope for positive outcomes in the international tournament.
