BAI hits back at PCI over allegations of ‘malicious’ selection accusations for Para Asian Games
The Badminton Federation of India has slammed allegations of ‘malicious’ selection practices that the Paralympic Committee of India has accused the former of using for the Para Asian Games. BAI also claims that PCI is not educated about the Games format where the team event has also been included.
Amidst the ongoing disappointment by the Indian shuttlers at the Asian Games being played in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang, there seemed to be more trouble approaching the sport of badminton in India after the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) accused the Badminton Federation of India of using ‘malicious’ selection practices to select the squad for the upcoming Asian Para Games.
The list of 23 players chosen by BAI-selected chairman Pradip Mohanty was cut down to 11 and some names, including that of a player, were included in the category of officials. Surprisingly, Mohanty’s name featured in the re-drafted list as Team Manager, after which the overlooked players wrote to the BWF alleging a misunderstanding between Mohanty and the PCI. PCI secretary general, J Chandrashekar, had earlier claimed that Mohanty was not even present at the selection trials in Bangalore and asked a “third party” to conduct it in his absences.
However, Bai joint-secretary NC Sudhir termed Chandrashekar’s allegations as “irresponsible” and claimed that the initial list of 23 players was downsized without their knowledge.
“The PCI alleges Mr. Mohanty was not present during the selection trials. It is an irresponsible, malicious statement made by the secretary of the PCI. (Also) The list was trimmed to 11 by the PCI without the consent of the BAI. We invited Mr. Chandrashekar to the selection trials. He promised to come but did not turn up for reasons best known to him. We also sent the selection committee report to him but (it was) returned unsigned.
“Mr. Mohanty was present throughout the selection trials and chaired the selection committee meeting, which was held on July 9, 2018, in Bengaluru,” Sudhir wrote to TOI in an e-mail recently.
BAI also claimed that PCI is not aware
“Without technical knowledge, the PCI Secretary has completely removed one category, not