Indian badminton player Jwala Gutta, answers a question during a press conference in Hyderabad, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. The Delhi High Court Thursday asked Badminton Association of India (BAI) to allow Gutta to participate in upcoming tournaments till the disciplinary authority takes a final decision on the issue of her alleged indiscipline in the Indian Badminton League in August this year. Gutta tried to stop some players of her franchise Krrish Delhi Smashers from playing a match against Banga Beats. AP Photo.
Beleaguered shuttler Jwala Gutta today said the national federation should not construe her “suggestions” as criticism since she had nothing against them and imposition of a life ban because of her blunt talking would be “silly”.
The disciplinary committee of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has recommended a life ban on her on disciplinary ground but the Delhi High Court has asked the federation to allow Gutta to play tournaments till a final decision is taken.
“What is wrong in that? Outspoken means life ban? It is really silly. I say how it is. I cannot mix words. I cannot lie,” Gutta told PTI when asked if her outspoken nature brings troubles for her.
“Badminton is my sport. I want to see it reach the top. I play eight hours a day. I only know how to play badminton. That’s about it. What else could it be? I don’t know how to play politics. I can never be diplomatic about certain things. If they think, I am trying to do something against them, they are being really foolish. I don’t do anything except playing badminton the whole day,” she said.
Gutta said she cannot understand why the BAI puts her in the bracket of enemies.”I have no idea. I always feel if you have genuine people in the association who are there to promote sports and only sports, then whatever I say should not be taken as criticism. I am a national player, international player, who has won so many medals, accolades for the country, why do you want to take it as negative, criticism? Take it as suggestion.
“I have the right to suggest. This is my sport, I am a badminton player, whatever I am today, it is because of badminton. I am only suggesting. Why do you want to take it negatively.”