Bombay high court puts shuttle in Prajakta Sawant's court

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Wednesday asked badminton player Prajakta Sawant if she is ready to withdraw her allegation of harassment against chief coach Pullela Gopichand after the latter held out an olive branch saying there is a need to move forward in the interest of the sport and the nation.
The 20-year-old doubles player, ranked 48 in the world, moved court in November 2012 saying she was kept out of national coaching camp in Hyderabad for the China, Hong Kong and Macau series because she requested a change of her doubles and mixed doubles partners.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Anoop Mohta had directed BAI at the last hearing to consider her entry for the upcoming German Open in February and the All England Open in March 2013.
Sawant's advocate Piyush Shah said she has been allowed to participate in these tournaments but at her own cost. "The harassment continues till today," he added. The judges questioned why BAI could not send Sawant at the government's expense.
BAI's advocate replied the decision to sponsor is on the basis of performance of players and currently Sawant's performance does not merit inclusion in the team. He said there are players without rankings who are paying for their travel and lodging. He said senior doubles player Jwala Gutta, who will partner Sawant, is being sent on behalf of the BAI and Sawant is not part of the core group.
"If she performs in these tournaments she'll be back in the core group and sponsored in future. She has to pay for her travel and lodging," he said. When he sought a longer time to take instructions on whether BAI would sponsor Sawant, Justice Shah asked, "You want her to spend her time in court?" The lawyer then said he shall tell the court during the week.
Gopichand's counsel Shiraz Rustomji said Sawant's request is partially considered and the air is cleared over the fact that selection is done by a 10-member committee, "We need to move forward in the interest of the sport and the nation which are more important," said Rustomji. He alleged that Sawant had made allegations against practically every player paired with her and even the state badminton association.