Para-shuttler Nitesh Kumar, the gold medalist from the Paris Paralympics, has expressed his disappointment with the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Despite raising his concerns with the association, BAI has yet to reach out to him. Nitesh secured gold in the men’s SL3 category at the Paralympics. In September, he voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the lack of recognition and the bureaucratic hurdles he faces. The 29-year-old champion from Haryana called for para-badminton to be transferred to the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) to better promote the growth and development of the sport.
InsideSports had an exclusive conversation with the para-badminton star to understand his journey and aspirations.
Nitesh on the response from BAI
When asked if there had been any response from BAI to his tweet, Nitesh said, “It was about the lack of positive administration from the association. Our concern was that the federation should work smoothly, and there should be transparency about what’s going on. We hoped our tweet would prompt a positive response, but we haven’t heard from the association yet.”
“They did announce cash prizes for medal winners, which is a positive step and a good initiative for para-badminton. But in terms of administration, we still hope to meet with the association to discuss our concerns,” he added.
How senior players motivated him to take sport
Reflecting on his journey, Nitesh shared, “When I first learned about para-badminton, I searched for information online. I discovered some of our senior players, world champions like Pramod Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar, who play in my category. Their stories were inspiring, but there was very little information about them and the sport online. So, I became curious and started attending tournaments to meet them.”
“When I finally met them and saw them play live, it was a motivating experience. Watching Mansi Joshi play with a prosthetic was especially inspiring for me since I also use a prosthetic. Meeting Pramod Bhagat and understanding his struggles was a significant moment for me, and we bonded over our shared challenges,” he added.
Recognition of Para-sports
Nitesh Kumar believes that para-sports are finally receiving the recognition they deserve. “Since the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, para-sports have consistently gained appreciation on social media and other platforms. The Tokyo Paralympics was a turning point because it was broadcast live on TV and social media,” he said. “I think the comparison between Paralympians and Olympians garnered extra attention, which I don’t agree with because both face their struggles. We all aim to give our best. I believe para-athletes will continue to excel in future tournaments,” he added.
Celebrity support and love from fans
Nitesh enjoys the support he receives from fans and celebrities alike. “I get a lot of messages on Instagram. I don’t use Twitter much, so I may have missed some messages there. But celebrities like Jackie Shroff have posted about me, which was overwhelming. Fans also create sketches and paintings of athletes, which is very emotional. Meeting people at events and seeing their joy when they talk to us is very touching. They recognise our achievements as their own, and that means a lot to me,” he shared.
Vision before the 2028 LA Paralympics
Although Nitesh has already won the highest prize in his sport—a Paralympic gold—he still has several goals to achieve. “Looking ahead, I’m excited about competing in the 2025 and 2026 World Championships and the 2026 Asian Games. However, my focus is beyond just results. I want to enhance my physical abilities and maintain consistent performance, especially as I continue to build on the momentum from Tokyo to Paris. My ultimate goal is to retain my gold medal at the LA Games in 2028. Continuous improvement is my priority, and I’m committed to doing my best in upcoming competitions,” he concluded.
