Global badminton equipment brand YONEX has announced that it will now manufacture high-quality graphite racquets in the country, expanding its existing production plan and base in India, a move which will bring the cost of full-body racquets down considerably.
Indian shuttlers have been performing exceptionally on the global stage, bringing numerous laurels for the country, including the historic Thomas Cup triumph and winning medals at the World Championships and other multi-nation events such as the Asiad and the Commonwealth Games. Such consistent performances have put badminton in the spotlight, as it’s now the second-most played sport in India across the two gender categories.
The game’s growing popularity has resulted in taking the demand for quality racquets sky-high, with the market share for badminton seeing a 10–15% YoY growth. The production of racquets in India will also ensure the products’ prices reduce by 20–30% to the current market rates.
YONEX and the official equipment partner for the Badminton Association of India, Sunrise, have been committed to promoting and developing badminton for over 60 years. It has been supporting multiple state and district associations in the country to promote and develop the game from the grassroots to the highest level of badminton.
Ben Yoneyama, Chairman of YONEX Japan, commented:
“India is a big market for badminton with its growing economy and interest in the sport. A lot of Indian players are performing really well on the world stage, encouraging more to take up the sport. We want to cater to that audience and provide the highest Japanese quality equipment to further the sport’s development.“
Vikramaditya Dhar, Managing Director, Sunrise Sports India Pvt Ltd, said:
“We want to give better quality racquets to our customers who are looking for full body graphite racquets at affordable prices. These are for players at a higher level, playing at academies and starting at a competitive level. With racquets being made in India, the consumers need not worry about import costs, fluctuating exchange rates as they will get high quality Japanese craftsmanship and technology at affordable prices.“
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