In what may transpire as a queer case, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has reportedly sent a three-member team, which includes two players in their late 40s, for an international tournament in Iceland.
The players in question are 49-year-old Apinder Sabharwal (a referee), 46-year-old Manmohan Sharma (a police officer from Punjab) and 22-year-old Abhishek Sharma, a little-known player. Interestingly Apinder and Manmohan's names figure in the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) draw list, with the duo playing not a single match in Iceland, thus pulling out at the last minute.
By sending these entries BAI has violated its own constitution, as both Apinder and Manmohan do not satisfy these conditions, as reported by Times of India. An office-bearer on condition of anonymity said that BAI was mocking the country's 'image', and has come down heavily on the associations 'cheap' tactics.
