Sport - Badminton

Shuttlecock problem resolved

New Delhi: The Badminton Association of India has heaved a sigh of relief with the government giving it the green signal to import Chinese shuttlecocks, which it had banned over fears of them carrying virus of the dreaded avian influenza.

The problem had resulted in the calling off of a National camp. The cancellation of the camp prior to the Thomas and Uber Cup qualifiers did not help the Indian team, but BAI said there would be no problems for the India Open GP event to be held in Hyderabad from April 1 to 6.

“We will get the shuttles from China by March 19. As per government regulations, they will be in quarantine for three weeks in Singapore and a statement to this effect will come from the relevant authority,” BAI president V.K. Verma said.

“The best quality AS4 shuttles will be used at the India Open while the preparatory camp for Indian players will have AS3 shuttles which have already arrived,” he said.

BAI vice-president Tej P.S. Puri said the previous hindrance imposed by the government was unnecessary as several countries were playing with Chinese shuttles. “They are used all over Europe without any problems. Only in India, the government raised objections,” he said.

D.K. Seth, Managing Director of Sunrise, sponsors of the India Open, said the issue was beyond their control. “In Europe, they are more strict in these matters and insist on a medical certificate as well.”

The event was postponed last year due to the Hyderabad blasts, but Seth said top players did not express any concerns as there were Olympic qualification points at stake. — PTI

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