Is the chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand being made to pay for a clutch of decisions taken not by him, but some players and the Badminton Association of India?, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that Gopi has been accused by Mumbai-based shuttler Prajakta Sawant of not giving her preferred doubles partner, when in reality the decision was taken by other players and not the chief coach.
“For instance, when Ashwini Ponnappa was left without a partner after Jwala Gutta decided to take a sabbatical, the Karnataka player was given the right to choose her partner, given her stature as a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner and a bronze medalist at the Worlds. Ashwini picked up Pradnya Gadre, who until then was partnering Prajakta. Pradnya too seemed happy with this development as Prajakta and her father had apparently accused her partners – Pradnya in doubles and Pranav Chopra in mixed – of not performing well which was hurting Prajakta’s game. A miffed Prajakta then left for Mumbai without informing anyone and, in fact, shot off a mail to Gopichand that he was harassing her and she may be forced to commit suicide because of his actions,” says the report, adding that stung by the accusation, Gopichand informed BAI and asked them to intervene.
Meanwhile Prajakta Sawant Prajakta found instant support from the fiery Jwala Gutta. According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, in a furious tirade, the senior shuttler hit out against what she termed discrimination, and called for it to be pulled out like a noxious weed. “Why are players being selected on the basis of which academy they play for, and not on their talent?“Jwala demanded.
“I was outraged when I learned about what happened. How can anyone tell her she can't be part of the national camp when she is clearly eligible? If the chief national coach is allowed to run his own private academy, there is bound to be a conflict of interest,” Jwala added.