Sr Kanetkar lashes out at BAI president

Hyderabad, May 12(UNI) Badminton player Nikhil Kanetkar's father Subhash Kanetkar today strongly criticised the remarks made by Badminton Association of India (BAI) President V K Varma that ''fathers and fathers-in-laws'' were spoiling the show in India.

In a press note released here, Dr Kanetkar said ''the victims of the ongoing tussle between BAI officials and senior players are the players and not officials. In fact, fathers, fathers-in-law and relatives have played a great role by spending valuable time and money for bringing the senior players to this stage. Therefore, involvement of parents is but natural.'' Disappointed with the attitude of BAI, he said, ''the authority should be proud of the achievements of our players, who are consistently in top 50 and badminton is probably the only game in India, having almost 8 players in top 50 in the world at the moment.

I am observing badminton and its administration at local level as well as at national level for the last 20 years. Since I have sacrificed my time and money to nurture the aptitude of my son Nikhil, I have every right to tell BAI official to immeddiately stop this messing around and give freedom to senior players to take their own decisions,'' he said.

'' Nikhil is being trained under Ganguli Prasad, former coach of Gopichand, in Sports Authority of India (SAI), where the training schedule is very tough. Therefore, in the present circumstances, the allegation of BAI President that the players do not want to work hard is absolutely irresponsible.'' ''When Nikhil and senior players want to participate in individual events at their own expenses, who is BAI to ask questions regarding their fitness etc? By now, BAI officials should understand the simple fundamental right of every player to play anywhere in the world using his own resources. Players are responsible enough to understand the value of their own money,''he added.

Dr Subhash Kanetkar charged BAI officials with misleading the media with 'incorrect' information.

''I think BAI officials are totally misleading the media and Nikhil's case is a glaring example wherein BAI officials did not allow him recently to play in three International tournaments at his own expenses when he is not even in their scheme of things. He was travelling on his own for last one year and improved his world ranking from 163 to 41.

''Nikhil has not used BAI money or Government funds to play these tournaments. What he expects now is that BAI should send his entry to the tournament where he wants to participate. The BAI officials should know that you cannot deny this right of any player. As a responsible citizen of India, I will not accept irresponsible statements from BAI officials who are accountable for their jobs,'' he said.

Dr Kanetkar alleged that BAI was crushing Indian talent with its ruthless attitude.

''Professionalism means not only the ruthlessness but also having the clarity of goals. I do not think BAI officials are mature enough to talk about professionalism. I am ready to discuss and debate with BAI officials anywhere at any point of time about the fundamental right of players, Dr Kanetkar in his note added.'' UNI