New Delhi, July 19: With just 30 days remaining before the 30th BWF World Championships 2026, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday unveiled the tournament’s official mascot, Peacko, and launched the official championship anthem during a ceremony in New Delhi.
The event, organised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI), marked the start of the final countdown to the World Championships, which will be held in the national capital from August 17 to 23.
BAI President and Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma joined Dr. Mandaviya at the launch. Also present were Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Hari Ranjan Rao, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra, former India coach and badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, along with senior officials and members of the badminton fraternity.
The official anthem features India’s entire 16-member World Championships squad, including Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. It is the first time all 16 Indian shuttlers have appeared together off the court in a promotional campaign, highlighting the team’s unity and ambition ahead of the country’s biggest badminton event in nearly two decades.
Peacko, the tournament’s official mascot, is inspired by the Indian peafowl, the country’s national bird. Designed to represent both India and badminton, the mascot incorporates elements of a shuttlecock and will be central to the BAI’s fan engagement campaign leading up to the championships.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya said India has emerged as a major sporting nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the successful hosting of several international sporting events. He said the return of the BWF World Championships reflects the country’s growing stature in world badminton and its continued investment in world-class sporting infrastructure and athlete development.
The 30th edition of the BWF World Championships is expected to attract more than 400 players from over 50 countries. India’s challenge will be led by five-time World Championships medallist PV Sindhu, who is aiming to secure a record sixth podium finish at the tournament.
Former medallists Lakshya Sen and the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also spearhead the home campaign. Emerging talents Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, and the women’s doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly are also part of India’s contingent.
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma described the return of the World Championships to India after 17 years as a landmark moment for Indian badminton. He said the event would not only showcase India’s growth as a badminton powerhouse but also inspire a new generation of players while bringing fans closer to the sport.
Speaking at the launch, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said Peacko and the championship anthem had been created to connect with fans of all age groups and build excitement ahead of the tournament. He added that several fan engagement initiatives would be rolled out over the coming weeks as India prepares to welcome the world’s top badminton players.
The BWF World Championships 2026 will feature competitions in men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles, with New Delhi hosting the prestigious tournament for the first time since 2009.
