Saina requests BWF to conduct video conference

Ace India shuttler Saina Nehwal has requested the Badminton World Federation to conduct a video conference after the BWF insisted her to meet the media even if she misses the Super Series Finals in Chinese Taipei due to injury.



The BWF has accepted Saina's plea for injury as the reason for skipping the season-ending championship, which is an exclusive event for the top-eight players in Super Series rankings but still asked her to meet the media in person before the start of the tournament.

The world number four Indian had pulled out of the USD 500,000 Super Series Finals to be played between January 5 and 9 because of a ligament injury in her left leg. On Friday, Saina, who is placed seventh in the Super Series standings, sent all the relevant documents, including the medical certificates in order to avoid the new fine of USD 5,000 for not participating in the event.

"The international body accepted the letter and the documents but asked Saina to travel to Chinese Taipei for two days on January 3," Saina's father Harvir Singh told PTI. "She has not recovered from her injury and won't be able to travel so we have requested the BWF to arrange a video conference instead. We are waiting for a response for them now," he added.

In case, BWF declines the request, Saina will have to pay the fine of USD 5,000 for failing to show up at the tournament. "It all depends on the BWF now. They have asked her to be present their to perhaps address the media regarding her injury. If she doesn't go and if BWF declines her request then, she will have to pay the USD 5000 fine," Punnaiah Choudary, a senior official of Badminton Association of India, said. "Nothing is in our hand. We will go by the BWF norms," he added.

The BWF had amended its regulation last month and imposed a penalty of USD 5000 instead of the previous meagre USD 250 fine for pulling out of the Super Series Finals. The decision was taken in the wake of the rampant pullouts by top shuttlers citing mild injuries. Saina had injured her leg during the final of the Hong Kong Super Series and skipped the Indian Open Grand Prix in Hyderabad this month at the last minute fearing it might aggravate her injury. -PTI

Kalmadi congratulates Saina Nehwal

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi today congratulated ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal for winning her third Super Series title of the year at the Hong Kong Open at Wanchai. "I would like to congratulate Saina Nehwal for raising the bar yet again by becoming the first Indian badminton player to win three Super Series events in a row. She has kept Indian flag fluttering on badminton circuit. In fact, she is an ambassador not only for badminton but also for Olympic sport," Kalmadi said.

In pic: Saina Nehwal flaunts her gold medal after winning the Hong Kong Open badminton Super Series/AP

Kalmadi was all praise for Saina's streak of triumphs in top-flight competitions and said her feat would inspire youngsters to bring laurels for the country. "Her streak of 15 successive victories in three Super Series events Singapore, Indonesia and now Hong Kong after her loss in All-England semifinal is a reflection of her single-minded quest for excellence. She has been among the most consistent performers in Indian sport this year, winning the Indian Open Grand Prix and the gold medal at Commonwealth Games," he said in a release. "She has emerged as an inspiration to young sportspersons across the country and I am sure, given her determination, dedication and discipline, she will continue to not only do well for herself and for India but also motivate thousands of young Indians to emulate her drive to conquer new frontiers," Kalmadi added.

Saina rallied to register a scintillating three-game victory over Shixian Wang of China to clinch her career's fourth Super Series title with a 15-21 21-16 21-17 win over the third seed in the Hong Kong Super Series summit clash yesterday. - PTI

A dream come true, says Saina

"It is like a dream come true," Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal said on Sunday after defeating China's Shixian Wang to win the Hong Kong Open Super Series. "I am very happy that I am finishing the year like this. It is like a dream come true," Saina told TimesNow television channel.

She said it was really important to win the Hong Kong Open after the Asian Games where she failed to make a mark.

In pic: Saina Nehwal flaunts her gold medal after winning the Hong Kong Open badminton Super Series/AP

Saina defeated Chinese champion Shixian 15-21, 21-16, 21-17 to claim her career's fourth Super Series badminton title and the third of the year.

She said that after losing the first game, she became confident "because I was moving well on the court... I knew she would hit some strokes... The third was set was very crucial.

"I was very, very confident throughout. I was always confident after the second game."

Saina said she wanted to prove herself. "Winning this match was very important for me. I am really happy." -IANS

Saina Nehwal wins in Hong Kong Open

Press Trust of India,

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal cruised into the second round of the Hong Kong Super Series with a comfortable straight-game win over Tsz Ka Chan in Wanchai on Wednesday.

World number two and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Saina defeated Chan 21-16 21-18 in half an hour match in the women's singles event to set up a clash against Salakjit Ponsana of Thailand. Ponsana defeated Hsiao Huan Chen 21-18 21-13 in her first round match.

Among Indian men, CWG bronze medallist P Kashyap also crossed the first hurdle with a gruelling three-game win over Chinese Taipei's Yu Hsing Hsieh in the singles.

The Indian fought past Hsieh 21-14 19-21 21-18 in an hour and four minute encounter. He will next face fifth seed Jin Chen of China on Thursday.

However, disappointment was in store for other two Indians in fray - Aravind Bhat and RMV GurusaiDatt.

While Bhat went down to Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 13-21 21-23, Gurusaidutt fought his heart before going down 12-21 21-19 13-21 to local favorite Wing Ki Wong.