India blank Trinidad and Tobago in no contest

Melbourne, Mar 16 (UNI) The farcical nature of the uneven contest was highlighted when India blanked Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in the preliminary league match of the badminton competition at the Commonwealth Games here today.

It became very obvious that organisers in their bid to add the numbers have not given any consideration to the standards of the teams participating nor have they laid down any qualifying norms leading to virtual no contests.

The India-Trinidad and Tobago badminton match did not deserve to feature in this level of the Games.

Indians did not even stretch, there was no question of sweating, as they thrashed their opponents.

Even if Indians had not wanted the Carribean islanders were hell bent to be thrashed and then the winners soon realised that it was no use occupying the court for long as it was neither providing them workout nor match practice.

If they had tried to hang on for some more time on the court, their games might have further dipped.

Aparna Popat first realised the quality of the opposition as she thumped N Blake 21-7, 21-3. Chetan Anand ranked 21st in the world cut short D Charles 21-8, 21-4 to make it 2-0 for India and then in women doubles Shruti Kurian and Trupti Murugunde finished the assignment hammering hapless N Blake and Quan Chee 21-7, 21-2.

RupeshKumar and Sanave Thomas accounted for D Charles and D Siu 21-7, 21-8 and in the mixed doubles Jawal Gutta and V Diju were in an expensive mood as they overcame Chee Quan and A Seepaul 21-12, 21-1.

There was nothing to ask, either from the coach or the players after the match.

UNI HSB PM PM1400