Padukone urges Centre's intervention to defuse bandminton crisis

Bangalore, May 18 (UNI) Former All England Open Champion Prakash Padukone today suggested Badminton Association of India (BAI) to revert to the old team selected but not announced for Sudhir Baan Badminton tournament scheduled to be held next month in Malaysia.

Urging the Union Sports Ministry to intervene to defuse the crisis arising over dropping of National Champion Chetan Anand and Doubles Champions Jwala and Shruti from the team, Padukone told newspersons here that it was only a communication gap that had created the crisis and it could be resolved by retaining the old team.

He said that there was still time to conduct a two-week camp as the Tournament was scheduled to begin only from June Nine. All the players should be instructed to attend the camp without fail and if any player fails to attend the camp could be dropped.

Padukone also took exception of conducting long camps, saying that for senior players such a long camp was not necessary. "Such long camps may be necessary for Junior players but not for seniors.

However, Camps are necessary for all and Seniors should not stand on prestige issue", he added.

He said that "may be the six-month long camp which was not attended by Chetan Anand, Jwala and Shruti, was clashing with main international tournaments and refusal to permit them by the BAI for participation in the Singapore open and hence they did not participate in the camp." Replying to a question, he said that more than getting qualified for the Olympics, the players should do well in the qualifier matches.

UNI