Sawant's inclusion in core team will depend on performance:BAI

The Badminton Association of India told the Bombay High Court today that it might include shuttler Prajakta Sawant in the core group of badminton players for training on the basis of her performance in the forthcoming national tournament.
The statement was made by BAI's lawyer before a High Court bench on a petition filed by Sawant alleging BAI's selection committee, headed by chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, was biased against her.
The Court had last week ordered Sports Authority of India to conduct an inquiry to find out why Sawant was not picked up in the Indian team for international matches.

The inquiry was ordered as the High Court wanted to know why Sawant was not selected for recent international fixtures in spite of her ranking going up from six to two.
Sawant had, in an earlier petition, accused Gopichand of mental harassment after she was not selected for national coaching camp in Hyderabad. She had also alleged Gopichand promoted players from his own Academy.
SAI filed a report today on the inquiry made by it as per the directives of the Court.

SAI said BAI had informed that Sawant's participation in Macau Grand Prix Gold from November 26 to December 1 this year and Vietnam Open from November 26 to December 2 was not considered as the last dates of submission of entries were October 29 and November 5 respectively, which are over.

As regards participation in Vietnam Open, SAI said it is confirmed that BAI has not included the said competition in their annual calender for training and competition in 2013-14 for approval of ACTC committee meeting held under Chairmanship of the Director General of SAI on April 22, 2013. Therefore, BAI is not sending Indian team to Vietnam Open.
However, SAI said it had advised BAI to consider Sawant's inclusion in the core group of badminton players for training on the basis of her performance in forthcoming national and international competitions.