Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, visibly upset after returning home on Tuesday, took to Instagram to voice his frustration over the response to their achievement. In his post, he wrote, “Back home now. As usual, no one knows what happened over the past two weeks, and it seems like no one really cares,” reflecting his dissatisfaction with the attention given to their international success.
The pair, who secured a bronze medal at the prestigious tournament, returned to India after their campaign in Denmark but felt the achievement did not receive the public or institutional acknowledgment they expected.
Reacting to his partner’s remarks, Chirag Shetty shared his own disappointment regarding the reception upon their return. He stated that he did not expect an airport welcome, adding that while they had previously been received and had even met the Prime Minister at his residence after an earlier achievement, this time the celebration felt lacking.
Chirag Shetty further observed that the broader public appeared unaware of the significance of their result at the Thomas Cup. He expressed that this lack of awareness and celebration of their performance was disheartening, noting that it made him feel sad about the way their achievement was perceived.
The comments from both athletes highlight growing concerns among elite sportspersons about recognition and visibility for achievements in non-cricket sports in India, despite strong performances on the international stage.
The episode underscores the emotional disconnect athletes sometimes experience between international success and domestic acknowledgment, even after delivering medal-winning performances for the country.
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