It seems like BAI is happy to put me out of CWG and Asiad: Saina Nehwal
New Delhi, Apr 14: Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saina Nehwal on Thursday questioned the timing of selection trials and slammed the Badminton Association of India for "putting" her out the two mega sporting events later this year.
The governing body had called for selection trials on April 2 to pick the Indian team for big-ticket events including the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the Asian Games in Hangzhou and Thomas Cup and Uber Cup in Bangkok from May 8 to 15.
Saina, a former world no 1, said she had informed BAI about her decision to skip the trials which begins at the IG stadium on Friday but it did not mean that she was not eager to participate at the major events including the Commonwealth Games and Asiad.
"Surprised to see all the articles stating that I don't want to defend my CWG title and my Asiad medal. I'm just not participating in the trials because I just got back from 3 weeks of Europe events and according to the schedule there's Asian Championships," Saina tweeted.
"In 2 weeks time, as a senior player to participate in back to back events nonstop is impossible and it's risking injuries, such short notice is not possible. I've conveyed this to BAI but there has been no response from them. It seems like they're happy to put me out of CWG n Asiad."
BAI has exempted players inside the top 15 in the BWF rankings from the trials but said shuttlers ranked between 16 to 50 in the latest world rankings, released on March 29, will have to participate in the trials to be selected for the team.
Saina, 32, however, questioned the logic of having trials at this juncture.
"I wish we had better understanding about how to manage a schedule and not announce events with 10 days notice. I'm world no.23 currently and I almost beat the world no.1 Akane in All England. One loss at India open and BAI tries to pull me down. Shocking."
Saina, a London Olympics bronze medallist, had participated at the German Open (March 8-13), All England Championships (March 16-20) and Swiss Open (March 22-27) before pulling out of the Korean Open (April 5-10).
Saina has been battling injuries and poor form for the past couple of years, which saw see her ranking slip to 23rd but she did show signs of returning to form when she played a three-game match against Akane Yamaguchi at this year's All England Championships.
Among the current crop of women's singles players, Malvika Bansod, Aakarshi Kashyap, Ashmita Chaliha and Anupama Upadhyaya have been in good form but none of them have beaten top international stars in the world stage.
Saina had returned to the circuit after recovering from a groin and knee injury this year but she didn't have the desired results as her India Open campaign ended in the second round.
After a gap of few weeks, she played three events last month -- German Open, All England and Swiss Open -- where she failed to cross the second round.
Surprised to see all the articles stating that I don’t want to defend my CWG title and my Asiad medal. I’m just not participating in the trials because I just got back from 3 weeks of Europe events andaccording tothe schedule there’sAsian Championships @BAI_Media @ianuragthakur
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) April 14, 2022
In 2 weeks time , As a senior player to participate in back to back events nonstop is impossible and it’s risking injuries , such short notice is not possible . I’ve conveyed this to BAI but there has been no response from them .It seems like they’re happy to put me out of CWG n
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) April 14, 2022
Asiad. I wish we had better understanding about how to manage a schedule and not announce events with 10 days notice.I’m world no.23 currently and I almost beat the world no.1 Akane in All England . One loss at India open and BAI tries to pull me down. Shocking @Media_SAI
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) April 14, 2022
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DMK to challenge Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Supreme Court
Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced its decision to challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Supreme Court. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha early Thursday morning with a 288-232 vote despite strong opposition from several parties.
Chief Minister M K Stalin, addressing the Tamil Nadu Assembly while wearing a black ribbon in protest, condemned the passage of the Bill, calling it an attack on the Constitution and an attempt to disturb communal harmony. He reiterated that Tamil Nadu would fight against the BJP-led Union government on the issue of Waqf properties.
“A majority of political parties opposed the Bill, yet it was pushed through with support from some alliance partners. This move is condemnable. The DMK will challenge it in the Supreme Court,” Stalin said.
On March 27, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution against the Bill. Stalin had then accused the BJP government of introducing policies aimed at excluding certain communities, citing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as an example.
“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is another attempt by the Union Government to interfere in the religious administration of Muslims. It grants greater control to the government over Waqf properties, undermining their autonomy and violating fundamental rights,” he said.
Stalin further accused the BJP of pushing a divisive agenda, asserting that the Bill would create legal hurdles for Waqf institutions and strip them of their autonomy.
