Taking a grim view of the ongoing tussle between the country's top shuttlers and national federation, the Sports Ministry decided to send its nominee, Madhumita Bisht, to Hyderabad to end the impasse.
National champion Chetan Anand and the top women's doubles duo of Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien had openly revolted against the Badminton Association of India after the federation stopped their entries in two Super series events in Singapore and Indonesia.
The players refused to join the ongoing month-long camp in Hyderabad, for the Sudirman Cup, and also did not report for the trials. They paid dearly for their anti-federation stance and were axed from the team for the Sudirman Cup.
"Madhumita is going to Hyderabad tomorrow and she will speak to the three players and also oversee the facilities in the camp," BAI sources said.
"The ministry has asked her to speak to the players and hear their grievances and also speak to the national coach, Pullela Gopichand, and then report back on the matter," the sources added.
The move was prompted after the ministry felt that the shuttlers might also be left out of important upcoming events in the Olympic qualification year which will harm the game in the country.
"The Ministry took note of the fact that India will field a weak side for the Sudirman Cup and the players might also be left out of important upcoming events including the World Championship in August, if the current situation prevails," they said.
Bisht, winner of eight national titles, will drive home the message to the players that they cannot skip the mandatory camps before important events because it is a government rule. She will also ask the BAI to soften its stance on the players.
"They cannot be selected in the team if they continue to to skip the camps and trials," sources said.
Though their participation might be late for the Sudirman Cup, but a last-minute inclusion is possible if the shuttlers decide to join the camp now, as the last date for sending the team list to the world body is still pending, sources said.
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