New Delhi: Leading news broadcaster TV9 Network today announced the launch of the News9 Corporate Badminton Championship in collaboration with the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, founded by the eponymous badminton legend and Padma Bhushan awardee.
Launched in the wake of TV9’s phenomenally successful Corporate Football Cup, the badminton championship will serve as a unique platform for fostering sports culture, networking and collaboration. Its objective is not merely a tournament, but to promote fitness, teamwork and work-life balance within India’s vibrant corporate culture. Barun Das, Managing Director & CEO of TV9 Network—and a fitness enthusiast himself—said: “As a network, we believe in championing sporting events that go beyond competition—they inspire fitness, teamwork, and overall well-being. The Corporate Badminton Championship is another step in that direction. Following the success of the Corporate Cup Football, we are proud to build a larger ecosystem of corporate sport that motivates professionals to pursue excellence, both on and off the field.”
Vikram K., Chief Operating Officer, TV9 Network-South, and Director of News9 Corporate Badminton Championship, said: “Hyderabad has long been celebrated as a hub for well-established industries like IT, Pharma, Biotech, and Startups. But beyond being a business powerhouse, it has also emerged as a cradle of sporting excellence—producing icons like Pullela Gopichand, Sania Mirza, VVS Laxman, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Satwik Sairaj, and Chirag Shetty and more. We are proud to launch the first season of the News9 Corporate Badminton Championship in this city of champions. With the legacy of Padma Bhushan Pullela Gopichand as a backdrop, this tournament is a salute to both passion and performance. It offers working professionals a well-deserved break from the daily hustle—a chance to compete, connect, and celebrate their love for sport. At TV9, we believe in building communities that thrive not just at work, but also in well-being and togetherness.”
Pullela Gopichand, Chief National Coach for India National Badminton Team, said: “Badminton has given me everything—and I believe it has something to offer everyone. With the News9 Corporate Badminton Championship, we’re bringing that passion, love of the game to the corporate world. Join us and be a part of this exciting movement!”
At the heart of this championship is the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad—an institution that has produced some of India’s most celebrated athletes, including PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, and Kidambi Srikanth. This iconic academy now opens its courts to the brightest minds in the corporate world.
The man who has been instrumental in India’s badminton revolution and the creation of champions such as PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, and Kidambi Srikanth, will bring the same passion and enthusiasm in overseeing the corporate contestants of this championship.
The News9 Corporate Badminton Championship is designed to encourage broad corporate participation and, therefore, offers categories suited to various skill levels:
In the Men’s Category, each team consisting of 3 to 5 players will play 2 Men’s Singles matches and 1 Men’s Doubles match.
There is also an Open Category, where each team consisting of 3 to 5 players, including one female player, will play 2 Men’s Singles matches and 1 Mixed Doubles match.
Every participating company can send multiple teams. Victory in this championship is about more than just trophies—it brings recognition, prestige, and high-value rewards. In addition to cash prizes of up to ₹6,00,000, winners will receive:
* A two-day exclusive coaching session at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, where they will refine their skills under expert guidance.
* Special invitations to premier badminton championships across India, offering them a chance to witness world-class sporting excellence and draw inspiration from the best in the game.
Participation is open to companies and LLPs with a minimum of two years of establishment and at least 10 employees, ensuring healthy competition while retaining an exclusive corporate focus.
For brands and organizations, the News9 Corporate Badminton Championship also presents an unparalleled sponsorship opportunity. With high-impact, on-ground branding, exclusive digital promotions, and direct engagement with decision-makers from leading companies, this initiative aligns brands with the values of fitness, ambition, and excellence.
The court is set and the challenge awaits.
Log on to www.news9corporatecup.com to register and secure your place in the biggest corporate sporting extravaganza of the year.
-Based on Press Release
