Aparna Popat pulls out
of Asian Games

India's top woman shuttler Aparna Popat has pulled out of the coming Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.

Ranked 39th in the world, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist said her decision stemmed from the fact that the government is very keen on winning medals in what is going to be a tough badminton tournament.

"Instead, I would focus on the European circuit beginning in a month's time. I will be playing in the Dutch Open, the Danish Open and the German Open," the 24-year-old said from the Sports Authority of India campus, in Bangalore, where she is training.

The Badminton Association of India had cracked the whip after the unimpressive show at the Commonwealth Games and decided aagainst send an originally planned 14-member squad, instead opting for a two-member team of Pullela Gopichand and Popat.

Popat had lost to England's Tracy Hallen 3-7, 3-7, 1-7 in the women's singles semi-final at the Commonwealth Games.