HC asks Maha to consider bearing expenses of badminton player

The Badminton Association of India (BAI), which was earlier asked if it would bear Sawant's expenses, today told the court that since Sawant is not affiliated to it, she has to bear her expenses.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Anoop Mohta was hearing a petition filed by 19-year-old player, who had accused chief national coach Pullela Gopichand of mentally harrasing her and refusing entry to the All India National Coaching camp in Hyderabad.

Sawant also alleged that Gopichand, being the chief national coach and a member of the BAI selection committee, promoted players from his own private academy -- Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy.

Since the filing of the petition six months back, Sawant has not participated in any tournament due to which her world ranking has dropped from 36 to 71.

"If she is allowed to participate in international tournaments and if she performs well there then her ranking may go up. All this (litigation) has affected her performance. The very fact that a player like Jwala Gutta has shown interest in playing with Sawant in the womens' doubles match shows that the petitioner must be a good player," the bench observed.

The court has directed Sawant to make a representation to the state government, which will consider the same and take a decision at the earliest.

Advocate general Darius Khambata told the court that the government would consider the representation before February 10, which is the last date for entries for two tournaments - German Open and All England Open Badminton Championships.