Badminton stars seek assurance to attend trials

Hyderabad, May 7 (UNI) Indian badminton stars who skipped selection trials for Sudhirman Cup have finally agreed to join the camp on condition that BAI give an assurance that it will not hold entries of any Indian player, including the trio, for Super Series in future.

'We have been attending the national camps right through our carrer and we can attend them in future also. All we need is an asurance from the top boss of BAI,' said Chetan Anand.

'Iam a patriot like any other Indian. No one can question my commitment to the country. I have won the crucial Thomas Cup tie in the preliminary stage and took the country to the finals.

Besides, I won Commonwealth medals,' he said.

Jwala, national doubles champion, speaking to mediapersons said 'we are basically against long camps. Our immediate goal is 2008 Beijing Olympics and not Commonwealth Games which are sheduled to be held in 2010 in New Delhi,' she said.

Jwala questioned the BAI's propaganda that the 'trio's performance in the European circuit was bad.

'If our performance is that bad on foreign soil, then how can I and Shruti (Kurien) jump to 25 in IBF rankings from 153 in the previous year' she said.

Meanwhile APBA Secretary and BAI Joint secretary Punnaiah Chowdhary said 'it is an unfortunate affair' and appealed to the players to attend the trials.

He also assured that these players will be allowed to attend the camp in the last minute.

UNI