Jwala Gutta felt 'Betrayed' in IBL
Something is terribly wrong somewhere. I have always maintained that the sport's administrators have been behaving in a rather grotesque manner.
Indian badminton doubles specialist Jwala Gutta is seething with rage.
Hitting out at the Organising Committee of the Indian Badminton League (IBL) for causing `humiliation' with its highhanded behaviour, she has termed Monday's inaugural players' auction as being nothing less than betrayal of trust.
Stating that her anger was not for the sake of money, she said that it was all about getting the respect that she and fellow players deserved.
Meanwhile, her former doubles partner, Ashwini Ponnappa, has also lambasted the organisers while finding fault with the manner their base price was slashed.
Incidentally, they both were named among six Icon players for the trail-blazing event that has been earlier hit by delays in schedules, including for the auction. It has also failed to entice the best of women talent from China.
Both Jwala and Ashwini went unsold during the auction forcing the organisers to lower the original base price of $50,000. The veteran southpaw was sold to Delhi Smashers for $31,000 while Ashwini went to Pune Pistons for $25,000. The IBL is to compensate them with $19,000 and $25,000 respectively.
Jwala said that it reflected poorly on the fraternity that such a lowdown had actually happened and that too ahead of a money-spinner that will feature several foreign players.
`Something is terribly wrong somewhere. I have always maintained that the sport's administrators have been behaving in a rather grotesque manner.
Discrimination has almost become a by-word to the functioning style of the Badminton Association of India (BAI). I fail to understand why we were given the status of Icon Players when they were to dump us midway through. It is shamefully disgusting,' fumed Jwala.
According to a source in the committee, although both created history by winning the bronze in the World Championship, the duo's brand value had nosedived dramatically in the two years since as they have parted ways.
'It is preposterous that we were kept in the dark about the Governing Council's decision to revise the format and doing away with women doubles. Playing in mixed doubles is what we get after having done so much for the country all these years,' she said in exasperation.
Comparing it to the Indian Premier League (IPL), she contended, 'I don't think nothing of this sort happens during IPL auctions. Stepmotherly treatment has been ruining Indian badminton and this is yet another instance.'
Meanwhile, Ashwini said it could have been gentlemanly on the part of the organisers, if they had been informed well in advance. 'I am shocked and feel betrayed,' was the Bangalore girl's cryptic remark.
News Posted: 24 July, 2013
|
