Indian badminton ace Parupalli Kashyap, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and 2012 London Olympic Games participant has raised question towards Sports Authority of India (SAI) for excluding him out of the national badminton camp currently being held at the SAI-Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad.
As national camps for several sports have been kicking off for the athletes destined for the Tokyo Olympics Games next year, SAI has inaugurated the badminton camp on 7th August onward after receiving Green Light from the Government of Telangana.
Eight shuttlers on expectations for the Olympics in 2021 have been selected to train at the camp. However Parupalli Kashyap, has raised query on the reason behind choosing only eight players, in addition to not picking him for the camp.
Why haven’t I been considered: Parupalli Kashyap on not being included in badminton camp
“I have a couple of questions regarding the camp. I find it illogical to allow only eight people to train,” Kashyap said in an interview with PTI.
Kashyap became the first male player from his country to make it to the men’s singles quarter-finals at the 2012 Olympics. Excluded from the camp, he is currently training at a separate facility near the badminton camp along with Indian badminton icon and his better half Saina Nehwal.
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The national camp currently includes P. V. Sindhu, Sai Praneeth and doubles player N. Sikki Reddy, who have resumed training under strict protocols following a four month suspension.
He continued, “Also, how are these eight Olympic hopefuls, because I think only three have almost confirmed their slots and the rest have an outside chance, including Srikanth and the women’s doubles pair.”
“I am ranked 23rd in the world ranking after Sai (B. Sai Praneeth) and Srikanth, then why haven’t I been considered?” the 33 year old added.
The former world no. 6 clinched a gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he defeated Derek Wong of Singapore in the Men’s singles event final. He also earned one silver and one bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, in the Mixed team and Men’s singles categorises respectively.
Kashyap further added, “Gopi bhaiya (Pullela Gopichand) advised me to speak to SAI as they made the list. So I spoke to the SAI DG (director-general) and asked him what is the logic behind it? Why am I not in the camp?”
kashyap further clarified that an assistant director from SAI informed him that players who have a chance to qualify have been selected for the camp, also, safety being the primary reason behind picking only eight players.
“Now no one is staying at the centre. All are using gyms at different centres. They are meeting people outside. So I don’t understand their explanation of keeping them safe,” he concluded.
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