Bye guys

In India, sportspersons dare speak up against their federation even if they are right. In the past, we have seen superstars like Dhanraj Pillay, Ashish Ballal and company suffer because they voiced their frank views.

And it is not just players but even coaches of MK Kaushik’s calibre who were dealt with sternly for taking an anti-Indian Hockey Federation stance. On Wednesday, as the Badminton Association of India tossed Chetan Anand, Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien out of the team, it became clear: Player power does not exist in Indian sport.

It is ridiculous in today’s world of modern sport, the Indian sports federations have such unlimited power, they can deliver benumbing body-blows. Who is the winner in this BAI versus players ego battle, where these players spoke of the long camps being meaningless? Certainly the BAI, as the players have been shown their ranking, form and caliber does not matter as they refused to attend the trial for the Sudirman Cup.

Talk of camps and trials, nowadays even the Indian cricketers are not allowed the luxury of staying away from the camp unless there are genuine reasons. Then again, Indian shooters, despite proving themselves regularly in the international arena, have no choice but to attend trials. The have not been able to grudge it because in the end, the NRAI is clear in its mind: They want shooters in best current form to go for the competitions abroad.

Does Indian badminton have the same depth like shooting? Certainly not, but BAI bosses like VK Verma and his cronies like TPS Puri just don’t care a damm. And what of our former All England champion P.Gopi Chand, who is the coach? He feels long camps were started by his predecessors, so why attempt to change it?

Come on Gopi, I respected your for your sublime skills with the racquet. Henceforth I will remember you as just another BAI bum.

It’s sad.