The Badminton Asia Championships 2010 commenced with the qualifying rounds being played at the Siri Fort Badminton Stadium here on Monday.
The event got off to a flying start with Indian women shuttlers Thulasi PC and Gayatri Vartak winning their first round qualifiers.
Thulasi, hailing from Kerala, defeated Pakistan's Number 3 player Sara Khan 21-9, 21-16.
Khan credited the Indian players and said that due to lack of facilities in Pakistan they have a drawback in this tournament.
"As far as the game is concerned, obviously the Indian team is very good. We have a very big drawback because of the academies. We don't have academies in every city and province in Pakistan. So, it affects the standard of play. So, whatever I have achieved is on my own and with my father's help and support. I am well known in Pakistan," said Sara Khan.
Thulasi, however, felt that as the renowned international players are not playing in this tournament, Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal holds a good chance of taking away the trophy.
In the second qualifier, India's Gayatri Vartak beat Sri Lankan Chandrika De Silva by 21-17, 21-12. But she went down by 21-12, 21-11 to China's Xin Liu in the next round.
