Rebel player's father hits out at BAI President

Hyderabad, May 14 (UNI) Parents of rebel badminton players today critisised Badminton Association of India (BAI) President V K Verma over issuing an immature statement that fathers and fathers-in-law have no role in nurturing badminton champions.

Gutta Kranthi, father of woman player Jwala Gutta, in a statement here said, ''V K Varma lacks maturity in saying fathers and fathers in law have no role in bringing up players.'' He said that when a child is born, it is sheer attention and hard work of the parents which puts the child on the right track. ''They groom their children so that society gets the best out of them.

Therefore, it is their fundamental right to support, protect and guide the children when President of BAI and the national coach seem to be messing with the bright future of the players.'' He said Mr Verma, who does not even have time to congratulate the players when they bring laurels to the country, has no right to talk about ''fathers'' and ''father-in-law'' of players. When Prime Minister, Chief Minister and Ministers spare time from their busy schedules to felicitate and encourage the players, where is this so called most responsible man of BAI?.

Having faith in Gopichand and not in the hard work of players is an insult to the Badminton fraternity. Mr Verma should not say that players don't want to attend camps because it calls for hard work and it is normal human tendency to shirk things, he said.

''We the fathers and fathers-in-laws of players will continue to fight for the players' cause' he said.

UNI