Telangana Chief Minister Honours Indian Badminton Stars at Jubilee Hills Residence
CityLightBuzz: Hyderabad, August 25, 2026: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy congratulated Indian badminton players Gayatri Gopichand Pullela and Treesa Jolly for their historic bronze-medal-winning performance at the BWF World Championships 2026.
The Chief Minister met the players and renowned badminton coach Pullela Gopichand at his residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, on Tuesday and appreciated their outstanding performance on the international stage. Telangana Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu and former badminton player P.V.V. Lakshmi were also present at the meeting.
Historic Bronze for India
Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly created history by winning the bronze medal in the women’s doubles category at the BWF World Championships held in New Delhi. The Indian pair’s campaign ended in the semifinals against the world No. 1 and defending champions from China, Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning. Gayatri and Treesa won the opening game 21–18, but the Chinese pair fought back to win the next two games 21–13 and 21–8.
Despite the semifinal defeat, the Indian duo secured a historic bronze, becoming only the second Indian women’s doubles pair to win a World Championships medal, after Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved the feat in 2011. The result also ended a 15-year wait for India in the women’s doubles category.
CM Praises Their International Performance
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy praised Gayatri and Treesa for their determination, composure and strong performance against some of the world’s leading badminton pairs.He congratulated both players and wished them continued success in their future competitions, expressing hope that they would bring more medals and recognition to Telangana and India.
The Chief Minister’s interaction with the players also highlighted the Telangana government’s support for athletes representing the state and the country at major international sporting events.
Pullela Gopichand’s Role
Renowned coach Pullela Gopichand, who has played a significant role in developing Indian badminton talent, was also present during the meeting.
Gopichand has expressed pride in the historic achievement of the duo and credited their growth as a pair over the years. The players have developed a strong partnership through intensive training and preparation.
A Landmark Achievement for Women’s Doubles
The achievement is particularly significant for Indian badminton because the country had been waiting since 2011 for another women’s doubles medal at the World Championships.
Gayatri and Treesa entered the tournament as an unseeded pair and defeated three seeded combinations on their way to the semifinals, making their run one of the standout performances of India’s campaign.
Their historic medal has been widely celebrated across the country and is expected to provide further encouragement to young badminton players, particularly in the women’s doubles discipline.
Recent Recognition
The achievement comes shortly after Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly were recognised with the Arjuna Award, adding another significant milestone to their careers.
The Telangana Chief Minister’s felicitation marks another recognition of their contribution to Indian sport and their success on the world stage.
The historic bronze by Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly has not only ended India’s long wait for a women’s doubles medal at the World Championships but has also strengthened the belief that Indian badminton can continue to compete successfully at the highest international leve
