BAI may take Saina, Kashyap to court

BAI may take Saina, Kashyap to court
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Highlights

Things seems to have reached a flashpoint in the badminton fraternity. If the way the events unfolded here on Sunday that featured the finals of the 79th Senior National Badminton Championship, are pointers, then one may see the thorny issue going to the courts.

Vijayawada: Things seems to have reached a flashpoint in the badminton fraternity. If the way the events unfolded here on Sunday that featured the finals of the 79th Senior National Badminton Championship, are pointers, then one may see the thorny issue going to the courts.

Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary M Ch Punnaiah Chowdary is fuming with rage. He expressed anguish over the non-participation of some of the big guns in the 79th Senior National Badminton Championship being held in Vijayawada.

Speaking to mediapersons here, he lamented that none had responded to the e-mails. This was made forceful when some top players refused to take part in the National Games that got underway in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

“I would like to take the issue to the court for justice. It was unfair on the part of some national players to skip major tournaments in the country after their meteoric rise in the sport. I would also take up the issue to the notice of the Union Government and ensure that the incentives and other benefits being given to the top players were denied if they skip major tournaments. Skipping major domestic tournaments by top players amounts to violation of BAI rules,’’ he said.

Punnaiah Chowdary also said, “We suffered a loss of Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh due to non-participation of players like Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap. No other sport or game is facing this kind of problem except badminton. This is a serious issue and I would fight for justice.’’ Chief coach Pullela Gopichand said, “This is of course a serious issue. The issue needs to be discussed at the next BAI meeting.’’

By: Ch Soumya Sruthi

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