The Badminton World Federation on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, announced that two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu is now the Chairperson of the BWF Athletes’ Commission for the year 2026-29. Sindhu has been an important figure in the sport in India. Her tenure with the BWF Athletes Commission dates back to 2017 and has been its Integrity Ambassador for the past five years since 2020.
Sindhu is the first female Indian shuttler to win an Olympic silver in Badminton at the 2017 Rio Games. Followed by that, she bagged a silver in singles and a gold in the mixed team event in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In the 2020 Tokyo Games, she won bronze after losing to Tai Tzu-ying in the semi-finals. She then went on to secure a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Sharing the news on her X account, she wrote, “An incredible opportunity to be a voice for everyone who plays our beautiful game. I’m deeply looking forward to working closely with @bwfmedia to represent every single player and to fight for meaningful, lasting change that truly matters.”
Later in 2023, Sidhu led India to a bronze medal finish at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships held in Dubai. This victory gave India its first-ever medal of the tournament. In the Paris 2024 Games, she missed her chance to claim her third consecutive Olympic medal after losing to China’s He Bingjiao in the round of 16.
Joining Sindhu as another Chairperson of the Commission is former para-badminton player Chan Ho Yuen of Hong Kong. The retired player has been in the top four of the world rankings since 2011 and was ranked second in 2024. In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, she won bronze, followed by a silver at the Paris 2024.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ Debora Jille will be taking the role of the deputy chair. Other members in the Athletes Commission include An Se Young of South Korea, Egypt’s Doha Hany, and China’s Jia Yi Fan.
Sindhu on joining the BWF Athletes Commission as Chairperson
In a statement released by BWF, Sindhu shared her excitement about getting the Chair and believes she would give her best to promote the sport in any way possible.
She said, “I step into this role with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose. As Chair of the Athletes’ Commission, my focus is to ensure that athletes’ voices are heard clearly, consistently, and with respect at every level of decision making.”
“I see this role as a bridge between athletes and administration, and I am grateful to work alongside the Athletes’ Commission and the athletes who serve as representatives across our sport,” she added.
