The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : Rebels stay awayfrom camp second day running

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Tuesday, May 08, 2007
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Sport - Badminton

Rebels stay awayfrom camp second day running

Special Correspondent

STANDING FIRM: Jwala Gutta and Chetan Anand who refused to toe the BAI line are seen with Vidyadhar (left).

HYDERABAD : The three players who stayed away from the selection trials did not attend the camp on Monday either even after the Badminton Association of India had extended its deadline for them for the second day. Instead, they played cricket to protest the "rough treatment" meted out by the BAI.

According to BAI joint secretary K. Ch. Punnaiah Choudhary, the trials will continue for the third and final day on Tuesday as scheduled, and the decision whether or not to entertain any last minute request of the rebel shuttlers, is left to the BAI president V.K. Verma.

The Indian team for the Sudirman Cup will be finalised on May 10. The BAI has stated that those who do not attend the camp and the subsequent selection trials, will not be considered for selection come what may.

The BAI observer S.A. Shetty said that since the players did not turn up even on Monday for the trials, he could do very little now.

Representation

The players had given a representation to the Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy a couple of days ago, complaining about chief National coach Gopi Chand's indifferent attitude.

The developments saw D. Muralimohan, SAAP VC & MD, visit the national camp. He has been asked to submit a report by the Chief Minister.

He said SAAP has very little role to play. "First let them thrash out their internal crisis. Our role is confined to providing infrastructure and other facilities.

"We are concerned because these players are from our own State. We feel that any possible steps that can be taken within the rules, should be taken to resolve the crisis," he said.

As things stand, it looks certain that Chetan Anand, Jwala Gutta and Shruthi Kurien will not be part of the Indian team because of their defiance. Even their future hangs in the balance.

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