HC directs BAI to accept shuttler's entry for national tourney

In a reprieve to shuttler Prajakta Sawant, the Bombay High Court today directed the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to accept her entry for the upcoming national tournament to be held in Delhi.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha was hearing an application filed by Sawant claiming that her entry to participate in the events in the mixed doubles category was rejected despite her ranking being higher than several selected players.
Sawant had moved the high court last year alleging mental harassment by BAI's chief national coach Pullela Gopichand and that she was left out of All India National Coaching Camp held in Hyderabad.

Sawant further alleged that Gopichand, being the chief national coach and also a member of the BAI selection committee, promoted players from his own Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, and she was being targeted and left out after she decided to quit his academy.
The high court today directed BAI to accept her entry in the mixed doubles category in the tournament scheduled from December 20 to 23. Sawant will be playing with Kamaldeep Singh.
The court said if the association is not ready to accept Sawant's entry then it should have re-selection of all the players in the tournament.

The matter has been posted for hearing on December 24.