Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi, World No. 10 HS Prannoy lost his first-round match at the Indian Open in just 13 minutes today, to Shreyansh Jaiswal, ranked 68th in the world. It was a shockingly short match.
But there was more to this ‘contest’ than was immediately obvious as Jaiswal won 21-6 21-4. Prannoy had undergone a medical procedure two weeks ago to remove a corn from his foot. But the problem persisted and affected his movement on the court today.
Wouldn’t it have been better to withdraw from the contest? Yes, says Prannoy. Given a choice, he would have withdrawn but for a Badminton World Federation rule that bars players from withdrawing when facing a player from their own country. Thus, despite being in pain and unable to compete, he had to take the court.
It is mandatory for top shuttlers to play in at least 12 tournaments in a year, failing which they risk being penalised.
“I just came because of the rule. I’ve already missed two tournaments in the start,” Prannoy said. “I couldn’t afford (to miss) another one so early in the season. Since I can’t concede to a fellow countryman, I had to go ahead with the match.”
“The procedure that my doctor did two weeks back was not proper. I did it in Hyderabad as it is a simple thing to remove a corn,” he added. “But things did not go well for me. I am undergoing the same procedure tomorrow and it will take time to heal. So I am not sure when I can return. Probably, I can make it to the All England (March 14-18). But it all depends on how it heals.”
