Divya Ramesh issue: BAI clarifies

BANGALORE, MAY 23. Mr. S.S. Mani, Honorary General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India, in a press release, has issued the following clarification on the issue of non-selection of Divya Ramesh in the Indian squad for the Sudirman Cup and World championships, scheduled to be held at Seville from May 28:

``The selection committee of the BAI comprises the chief coach of India, three ex-internationals and three administrators. In the last three years, the selections, including that of the team for the Sudirman Cup and World championships to be conducted at Seville, Spain, have taken place after full deliberations and in unanimity. There has never been any dissent.

In any sport, it is a well-known fact that players are selected to represent the country based on the overall performance and not on the performance in any particular event.

Out of the six tournaments conducted since June 2000, Manjusha Kanwar participated in all six, won one, reached two finals, one semifinals and two quarterfinals to be ranked No. 2. B.R. Meenakshi participated in four, reached three finals and one semifinal and is ranked No. 3. Divya played in all six tournaments, reached five quarterfinals and one semifinal and is ranked No. 5.

This shows that Manjusha and Meenakshi are ahead of Divya in ranking. While ranking have its own significance, that alone is not the criteria for selection. Factors like consistency, potential, performance in international tournaments, performance in coaching camps and most importantly physical fitness are taken into consideration in the selection process.

Lawyers and players cannot and should not decide on another player's fitness, that too based on newspaper reports. During any major event like this, the players undergo various tests at the Sports Authority of India under the watchful eyes of the coaches.

The Badminton Association of India is the sole authority to decide as to how many players are to be sent to participate in international tournaments. And it is for the sports lovers of this country to decide whether the selection is based on merit or not.''

- Our Special Correspondent

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Section  : Sport
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