The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : WBPF backs Indian players

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Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007
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WBPF backs Indian players

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The World Badminton Players Federation has stepped in to extend its support to the Indian players, who are being restrained from participating in the Super Series events by the Badminton Association of India.

The WBPF's president Bernie Milroy expressed his concern about the ongoing feud in Indian badminton and has urged the Badminton World Federation to ensure that players are allowed to take part in the Super Series as `special late entries' and urged the world body to prevail upon BAI on the issue.

`Unacceptable'

According to information available with The Hindu here, Mr. Milroy in mails to Punch Gunalan, Vice-president of BWF and Paisan, the Events Coordinator, BWF has stated: "When we are trying build Super Series, it is unacceptable that a top 28 player like Chetan Anand is being forced not to attend it when it is already a problem to ensure that players don't pull out of Super Series with injuries etc... . WBPF will support the players and they should be allowed to play in the Super Series and a special late entry should be allowed to them."

Milroy also hinted that the Indian bid to hold a successful Indian Open later in September would be hurt by such actions.

Mr. Gunalan is expected to hold talks with BAI president V.K. Verma, who is now in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the ABC Championship there. Mr. Gunalan is expected to make a strong pitch to BAI to soften its stand on the issue. Incidentally, Super Series was Gunalan's concept.

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