<p>Jwala Gutta is one of the star players competing at the ongoing National Badminton Championships. The women’s doubles exponent, who arrived here on Wednesday afternoon, however was peeved at Badminton Association of India’s (BAI) policy to make it mandatory for all international players to participate in the national meet.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Not the one to hold back punches, Jwala questioned why only specific players were being targeted to play in the championships. Country's top singles player, Saina Nehwal, who had not played in the nationals since 2008, withdrew from the event this year as well, citing ill health.<br /><br />“Nationals is something the system tries to give important to but at the same time also not giving importance. Last year the association made a major announcement that playing in the national was mandatory, so I am here now but a lot of players are not there,” Jwala said.<br /><br />“I understand if Saina is not able to play. I have been at her place. You cannot play so many tournaments, but then why make such a rule? Why target only specific players who are not following that and let others go? That is not right.”<br /><br /> “I feel players like Saina, me and Ashwini (Ponnappa) should be given a special consideration because we have played and performed a lot. So for us the nationals, does not matter. I have won national championships 13 times. In spite of that, I am still being targeted and integrity questioned. If you have made it mandatory to participate, then make sure everyone participates. <br /><br />We know what Saina's level is, I will be a fool to question that, but then why are my achievements and performance questioned? Ashwini, me, Saina together have changed the way people look at badminton,” said Jwala, who is all set to open an academy in Hyderabad.<br /></p>
<p>Jwala Gutta is one of the star players competing at the ongoing National Badminton Championships. The women’s doubles exponent, who arrived here on Wednesday afternoon, however was peeved at Badminton Association of India’s (BAI) policy to make it mandatory for all international players to participate in the national meet.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Not the one to hold back punches, Jwala questioned why only specific players were being targeted to play in the championships. Country's top singles player, Saina Nehwal, who had not played in the nationals since 2008, withdrew from the event this year as well, citing ill health.<br /><br />“Nationals is something the system tries to give important to but at the same time also not giving importance. Last year the association made a major announcement that playing in the national was mandatory, so I am here now but a lot of players are not there,” Jwala said.<br /><br />“I understand if Saina is not able to play. I have been at her place. You cannot play so many tournaments, but then why make such a rule? Why target only specific players who are not following that and let others go? That is not right.”<br /><br /> “I feel players like Saina, me and Ashwini (Ponnappa) should be given a special consideration because we have played and performed a lot. So for us the nationals, does not matter. I have won national championships 13 times. In spite of that, I am still being targeted and integrity questioned. If you have made it mandatory to participate, then make sure everyone participates. <br /><br />We know what Saina's level is, I will be a fool to question that, but then why are my achievements and performance questioned? Ashwini, me, Saina together have changed the way people look at badminton,” said Jwala, who is all set to open an academy in Hyderabad.<br /></p>
