Indian shuttler cries foul after denied participation at World University Games 2025 due to shocking admin error

Half of the 12 selected players were benched at World University Games after officials failed to submit names.

India’s historic bronze medal in mixed team badminton at the ongoing FISU World University Games 2025 in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, has come under the scanner after allegations of mismanagement by a shuttler. According to the claim, six of the 12-squad members were denied chance to compete due to a shocking registration error by team officials.

The players had traveled from India and were eligible under FISU rules. But during the final submission of names, only six were registered, leaving the others benched. The oversight wasn’t corrected even during the manager’s meeting on July 16, the last opportunity to fix the issue.

“This isn’t just mismanagement. It’s career sabotage,” wrote Alisha Khan, one of the affected players, in a viral Instagram post. “We didn’t lose a match—we lost our right to even participate.”

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A post shared by Khan Alisha (@_alishaaa_.k)

As if the registration fiasco wasn’t enough, another major lapse has now come to light. The Indian badminton team had no official coach present at the global event.

According to Alisha, AIU did not approve a coach for the team. The players were left to coach each other, motivate each other, and strategize during matches with zero technical support.

Also Read: India exit Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships 2025 after narrow quarter-final loss to Japan

“We—the players—coached and supported each other from behind the court,” she wrote in her story. “This isn’t just bad planning. It’s neglect, ego, and zero accountability.”

The absence of a coach at a tournament of this scale raises serious questions about India’s preparation and athlete support system at international events.

Led by World No. 47 Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, India’s mixed badminton contingent scripted history by clinching the country’s first medal (a bronze) in badminton at the prestigious event.

However, according to Alisha only the six shuttlers who participated have received medals and recognition while the other half of the contingent will “return empty-handed.”

“The 6 who got to play gave their best—and won Bronze. But only they will now receive podium honors, merit certificates, government jobs, cash awards, and recognition…This is not just mismanagement—it’s career sabotage,” she added in her post.

While FISU rules doesn’t mention the maximum number of shuttlers each team can enter in the competition, the minimum recommendation is at 6 shuttlers (3 each of men and women).

In her post, Alisha claimed that “as per FISU rules, 12 players are allowed—we were all eligible. We traveled, we trained, we sacrificed, and yet we were denied the chance to even participate…But only 6 were allowed to play, and the other 6 were left out. Why?”

She was among the shuttlers left out, with the others being–Rohan Kumar, Viraj Vilas, Darshan Pramod, Abhinash Mohanty and Aditi Bhatt.

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