Date:27/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022759902000.htm

Sport - Badminton

Indian Open fate hangs in balance

V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: The fate of the Yonex Sunrise India Open, with a prize money of Rs. 1.20 crores to be held here from April 1, hangs in the balance as the Badminton Association of India is still awaiting formal clearance from the Union Sports Ministry to give the nod for import of shuttles for the event.

It may be recalled here that a ban was imposed following the bird flu which hit certain parts of the country.

Mr. L.C. Gupta, secretary of BAI, said here on Wednesday, that the formal request had been sent long back and the Government response is awaited.

“We need roughly about 500 boxes of shuttles for the event. Right now, there is a ban on import of shuttles since August 2007. Unless, the Government comes out with a special gesture, it might be difficult to sort out the crisis,” he explained.

He, however, did not rule out a contingency plan to overcome the problem. “But, we prefer to get it straight from the Government,” he said.

“The Yonex group is ready to export them any time as it is part of the deal..

Good news

As for the organisers the good news is the confirmation of a strong Chinese contingent for the India Open. The organisers have received a formal letter and the list of players who figure in the squad. It includes Chunlai Bao, Jin Chen, Yu Chen, Yi Lu for the men’s singles. Xingfang Xie, Ning Zhang, Lan Lu, Lin Zhu, Yihan Wang and Lin Wang in the women’s singles.

The men’s doubles players include Zhendong Guo and Zhongbo Xie and Ling Gao and Tingting Zhao in the women’s doubles.

The mixed doubles team includes Han Bin He and Yang Yu.