Saina Nehwal Slams BAI Over Scheduling of Selection Trials for Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI: Olympic medalist shuttler Saina Nehwal has hit out at the Badminton Association of India over the dates for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games selection trials that began at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Friday.

In a recent tweet by the Olympic medalist shuttler Saina Nehwal, she has criticized the BAI (Badminton Association of India) over the selection trails dates for the CWG (Commonwealth Games) and Asian Games.

The selection trials for the commonwealth games and Asian games started on Friday 15 April. The association had earlier announced selection trails from 15 to 20 April.

Saina Nehwal in her tweet on Thursday 14 April said that she is surprised to see some articles that stated she doesn't want to defend the CWG title and Asiad medal.

She further informed that she is not participating in the selection trials because she just got back from three weeks of Europe events and as per the schedule there's an Asian championship.

The BAI announced selection trials for CWG and Asian Games with players PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth directly qualifying on being ranked in the top 15 in the world.

The former world no. 1 had earlier informed the association that she will be giving the selection trials considering her already packed schedule.

The tweet by Saina reads, "in two weeks' time, as a senior player to participate in back to back events nonstop is impossible and its risking injuries, such short notice is not possible"

She wrote that she has conveyed this to the Badminton Association of India but there has been no response from the association.

The 32 years old shuttler added it seems to her like the BAI is happy to put her out of the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

The former world no. continues criticizing the BAI for dates of section trails saying 'I wish we had a better understanding about managing a schedule and not announcing events with 10 days notice.

Her tweet further reads "I am the world No. 1 at present and I almost beat the world no. Akane in All England. One loss at India open and BAI tries to pull me down.

The CWG gold medalist slammed BAI and regarded this decision of scheduling dates for CWR and Asian by BAI as shocking to her.

It may be mentioned that the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year will take place from 28 July and 10 September respectively.

Also read: India's campaign ends with PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth's loss

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