CM assures help to shuttlers

Hyderabad, May 5 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, after hearing the grievances of national badminton women doubles champion Jwala Gutta , assured to take up the issue with the Badminton Association of India (BAI) here today.

Dr Reddy was surprised when he heard that the country's top shuttlers were deprived of playing in foreign tournaments at their own cost recently.

He asked officials to take up the matter with BAI and Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association (APBA).

Later, speaking to reporters, the players said, ''we are not against joining the camps for Sudhirman Cup and any other official tournaments. We are only requesting the BAI to extend the facility of playing in the Super Series and other international events at our cost as it was done last year.'' Meanwhile, it was learnt that BAI was going ahead with the selection trials from May six to eight as scheduled at SAAP indoor stadium, Gachibowli near here.

UNI