Dictatorial Decision

The highhandedness of the Badminton Association of India ( BAI) in imposing life ban on world champion Jwala Gutta on trivial grounds is extremely unfortunate (“Fiery Jwala Ready for War”, October 23). It is ridiculous that the three-members disciplinary committee of BAI, formed to inquire into Gutta’s alleged misconduct during Indian Badminton League, recommended the ban without a complete inquiry. The action of the committee, without adequately evaluating the gravity of the misconduct, underlines its desperation and arbitrariness to give the severest penalty.

KESHAV PATHAK, via email In carrying on with its onepoint agenda of humiliating flamboyant shuttler Jwala Gutta, BAI has clearly cut off its nose to spite its face. A life ban in sport is generally reserved for very grave offences. And what Jwala did as captain of the team was in no way against the spirit of fair play. Many coaches and players have privately voiced their fears on the dictatorial manner in which badminton is being run in the country. The move to deny Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa a comeback in the Denmark Open has only reinforced growing apprehensions over the lack of integrity and transparency in the way the BAI functions. Under these circumstances, the silence of the sports minister is baffling, as is the indifference by other sports administrators in the country.

J. AKSHOBHYA,, Mysore