CM Cup 2026: Ministers, IAS & Celebrities Set for Shuttle Battle

Bengaluru: Politics, governance, cinema, administration and media will momentarily set aside their daily pressures as rackets clash and shuttlecocks fly at the CM Cup Badminton Tournament, beginning tomorrow in the city. Organised by 9 Dreams, the two-day sporting spectacle will unfold at the Karnataka Badminton Association courts.

Designed as more than just a competition, the tournament carries the inspiring tagline “Leaders Play… Friendship Wins…”, reflecting its larger vision of strengthening bonds across professions. The official emblem of the maiden edition was unveiled earlier by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also took to social media platform X to wish participants success.

Eight franchises will battle it out in a league format: The Elite Badminton Club, Inspire Challengers, The Cafe Divyam, ATS Attackers, Pro Win Panthers, Aesthetic Attackers, Telecom Sky Strikers and KGF Smashers. The teams have been split into two pools to ensure competitive balance.

In Group A, Inspire Challengers will face The Elite Badminton Club, Aesthetic Attackers and Team Cafe Divyam. Group B will witness clashes between KGF Smashers, Telecom Sky Strikers, ATS Attackers and Pro Win Panthers. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, promising edge-of-the-seat action.

What sets the CM Cup apart is its unique mix of participants. Ministers, MLAs, IAS and IPS officers, senior police officials, doctors, Sandalwood personalities and journalists will share the court. The Power Play category features prominent names including Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, CM’s Media Advisor K.V. Prabhakar, Legal Advisor and MLA Ponnanna, MLAs Sharath Bachegowda and Dr. Manthar Gowda, former MLA Narayanaswamy, senior bureaucrats and police officers.

A total of 128 players will compete, with all eight franchises undergoing nearly a month of intense practice sessions to sharpen their skills. Organisers believe the event will not only showcase sporting talent but also encourage networking, fitness awareness and goodwill among leaders and influencers.

As Bengaluru gears up for two days of energetic rallies and strategic smashes, the CM Cup aims to demonstrate that beyond policy debates and administrative duties, sport can unite leaders on a common court of camaraderie and competition.