G. Jwala and Ashwini Ponappa have expressed their disappointment at what they perceive to be step-motherly treatment from the Badminton Association of India. Still seeking a specialised doubles coach, the two alleged here on Thursday that they had deliberately been kept away from the primary National coaching camp in Hyderabad and asked to report to Bengaluru instead.
The pair now intends to train overseas, with qualification for the Olympics, the target in 2015.
According to informed sources, while 35 players have been called up to train at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad with a team of six coaches and five support staff, the National coaching camp at the PPBA here lists 11 players and only one coach (Umendra Rana).
When asked of this at the PSPB inter-unit badminton tournament, Jwala said: “It’s very conveniently done. People like Ashwini and I — the rebels, those who are not wanted — are being put here with no coach or physio. It hurts.”
Jwala alleged, further, that she was informed of the National camp only after its inception. “The camp is supposedly on. But I got the letter only 10-15 days after it started,” she stated.
The two players are training on their own at the moment. With Olympic qualification the focus next year, the pair plans to go abroad, Ashwini revealed.
“It’s quite unfortunate that we still don’t have a doubles coach. Running into an Olympic year, that’s pretty critical. So we intend to train overseas. We’re looking at options,” she said.
Jwala said that despite their continued success, the attitude towards doubles players had not changed.
“We’ve won three medals this year; people are forgetting that. I’m not denying that singles players have done well, but even after performing, we’re not getting that kind of treatment,” she said.
BAI officials did not respond to text messages.
