Mandaviya unveils Peacko, marking 30-day countdown to BWF World Championships
Sports is not simply about winning medals; it is about nurturing talent, building a vibrant sporting culture and strengthening the ecosystem that enables athletes to thrive. Echoing this vision, the countdown to the BWF World Championships 2026 officially commenced with the unveiling of the tournament’s official mascot and official anthem on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at New Delhi.
The championship, scheduled to be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from August 17 to 23, 2026, will bring together the world’s finest shuttlers and mark the first time India will host badminton’s premier event.
The launch was attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Badminton Association of India (BAI) President and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra, DG, SAI, Hari Ranjan Rao, IAS, Indian badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, senior officials and members of the badminton fraternity, officially signalling the final phase of preparations for the Championships.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of “Peacko,” the official mascot of the championship. Inspired by India’s national bird, the peafowl, Peacko blends elements of Indian heritage with the dynamism of the sport, giving a distinctive visual identity to the tournament. The official anthem, featuring PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty and India’s entire 16-member World Championships contingent, captures the energy, ambition and unity of Indian badminton as it heads into its biggest stage.
Addressing the event, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted how India has emerged as a global sporting nation, and hosting the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi reflects the country’s growing stature in badminton, world-class sporting infrastructure, and commitment to creating greater opportunities for athletes.
The event marks one of the final milestones before New Delhi hosts the global badminton.
