Thomas cup

Sumit Rathi: Indian footballer Sumit Rathi has shared a different perspective on the debate surrounding Indian athletes, other than cricketers, not getting enough recognition, arguing that an achievement's value remains unchanged whether or not a crowd is waiting at the airport.

His comments came after Indian badminton star Satwiksairaj Rankireddy expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition for athletes from non-cricket sports in India, recalling how members of the historic Thomas Cup bronze-winning team returned quietly from Denmark without much public attention, and no one was there to receive them at the airport.

Satwik had said that despite wearing India jerseys and achieving one of the country’s biggest badminton milestones, most people at the airport were more focused on IPL and politics. He added that winning bronze in the Thomas Cup was extremely difficult and felt such historic moments should have been celebrated more across the country.