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BAI protest Gopichand's exclusion

The Badminton Association of India today alleged that national champion Pulella Gopichand was not considered for the Arjuna award because of political interference.

In a signed statement, BAI executive president Prakash Padukone said: "It is reliably learnt that inspite of Gopichand's name being recommended by the special committee for Arjuna awards, his name got excluded due to political interference. A group of politicians had pressed for the nomination of a player from Kerala, whose name had not been recommended by the BAI."

He pointed out that Gopichand had reached the final of the Grand Prix international event in Delhi in February 1997 and has been one of the leading international players for the last three years. "The Government of India should include his name in the list as his name had been recommended by the BAI for the past two years on the basis of national and international tournaments," the statement said.

UNI

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