Hyderabad: Telangana Industries and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu described badminton as more than a sport, calling it a life lesson in resilience and discipline. He made the remarks at the inauguration of the Yonex-Sunrise 79th South Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship-2025 on Tuesday.
The event was held at the Heartfulness Gopichand Badminton Academy in Kanha Shantivanam, Ranga Reddy district, under the Badminton Association of Telangana (BAT).
Shuttle’s fall and rise reflects life’s challenges
Sridhar Babu, who also serves as BAT President, likened the shuttle’s motion to life’s setbacks and comebacks. “Every time the shuttle falls, it rises again. That is the essence of badminton and life,” he said.
He urged young players to draw inspiration from Indian badminton legends like Prakash Padukone, Pullela Gopichand, P.V. Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, and Kidambi Srikanth. “Play not just for points but for national pride,” he added.
Discipline, determination key to success
The Minister emphasized that in the world of sports, discipline acts as the real coach, hard work as the true sponsor, and self-belief and determination as the strongest assets for any athlete.
He also reiterated the Telangana government’s commitment to developing international-standard sports infrastructure to transform the state into a global sports destination.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shadnagar MLA K. Shankaraiah, TUFIDC Chairman Challa Narsimha Reddy, BAT General Secretary and India’s National Chief Coach Pullela Gopichand, and other dignitaries.
Inauguration of the Yonex-Sunrise 79th South Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship 2025, held at the Heartfulness Gopichand Badminton Academy in Kanha Shantivanam, was a celebration of sport, resilience and discipline. Badminton is not just a game of points but a lesson in life… pic.twitter.com/4Ei3r9Uhhi
— Sridhar Babu Duddilla (@OffDSB) September 2, 2025