Indians criticise English pullout, Saina calls it 'immature'

Amit Kumar Das

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (PTI) Indian shuttlers Sunday flayed
England for its last-minute pullout from the World Badminton
Championships with Saina Nehwal calling it an "immature"
decision.

"It's an immature decision but I don't think it makes
much of a difference to the tournament because there are no
English top players in the singles event," Saina said.

Badminton England Sunday withdrew the eight-member
contingent following a Home Ministry advisory on threat
perception to the event ahead of the Independence Day
celebration.

Saina said her coach Pullela Gopichand tried to convince
them about the foolproof security here but to no avail.

"I think they should have been more patient. Even Gopi
Sir spoke to them yesterday. In India, badminton is not as big
as cricket so I don't think there was any need to be worry,"
said Saina, seeded sixth in the women's singles event.

"The tournament will go on without an issue and I don't
foresee any trouble for anyone. I think they panicked since
Independence Day celebrations are round the corner," she
added.

India's top men's singles player Chetan Anand said the
pullout will hurt India's image as a safe sporting
destination.

"It leaves a bad impression not only on badminton but
also on other sports as a whole. The European countries do not
perceive India as safe and secure which is not good for the
sport," Chetan said.

"But there are many teams who have turned up and I hope
it will not affect the game much. Of course now that they have
pulled out there will be some open places but its okay," he
added.

Mixed doubles specialist Jwala Gutta was shocked as well
and she said the English were quite good in doubles events and
their absence would be felt.

"It's shocking for me. I don't think such nonsense
threats should affect the game. It's sad because it shows they
didn't have faith in the organisers. There are some English
mixed doubles and a doubles pairs who are really good and it
is going to affect the championship," she said.

International players too were taken aback by England's
withdrawal.

Danish number one Peter Gade said he had full faith in
the organisers but at the same time he could understand what
the British shuttlers went through.

"Obviously when something of this sort happens, family
members back home are worried and concerned about our safety.

"But I am sure with the sort of arrangement that the
BWF have put in place, there should not be any problem. I have
faith on the association," he said.

Badminton Association of India (BAI) president VK Verma
rued England's decision but felt the tournament would not lose
lustre because of that.

"It's a setback but I don't think it would affect the
quality and intensity of the championship," Verma said. PTI
ATK
ANU
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