India to boycott badminton series in Pakistan: BAI

The BWF International series is slated to take place at Islamabad from October 18-21

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has decided to boycott the Pakistan International Series, scheduled to be held in Islamabad later this month, as an act of "solidarity" with the government's diplomatic offensive against Pakistan.

BAI President, Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta, said in a release that no Indian player is going to take part at the BWF International series, which is slated to take place from October 18-21.

"The announcement comes as an act of solidarity with the decisions of the government of India in the wake of the ongoing tensions between the two countries," Dr Das Gupta said.

"On behalf of the council members of BAI and the entire badminton fraternity, we express strong concerns and support towards the sentiments of our fellow citizens of India."

After the Uri terror attack, where 19 Indian soldiers were martyred, relations between India and Pakistan soured with the BCCI president, Anurag Thakur, asking the ICC not to club India in the same group as Pakistan in all its events.