In an unexpected turn of events, players’ participation in the Grand Prix Badminton league was faced with fierce opposition due to strategies that aimed to frighten and alarmed people. Although the Honourable High Court of Karnataka’s judgment clearly allowed players to participate in the League, the players still had to deal with the Badminton Association of India’s pressure and intimidation techniques. The GPBL Season 2 has been postponed by the League’s promoters in consideration of the players’ best interests.
In the midst of recent difficulties, GPBL fiercely stood by the players and reaffirmed its dedication to their rights and objectives. GPBL stayed strong in its commitment to player welfare and the spirit of fair competition while BAI threatened players with terrible consequences.
Any efforts to restrict players’ rights or coerce them into compliance were harshly denounced by GPBL. The League reaffirmed its steadfast support for the players’ freedom to enjoy their fundamental liberties and take part in activities that advance their professional athletic development.
Prashanth Reddy, Commissioner GPBL, said: “It is a sad day not only for badminton but for sports in India in general. The essence of sports lies in fairness, competition, and the empowerment of athletes. We stand by the players who had chosen to be part of GPBL, respecting their right to make decisions that align with their aspirations. It is essential to foster an environment where players feel supported and empowered to pursue their dreams without fear of repercussions.”
On the various circulars issued by BAI, Prashanth said, “Threatening the players with dire consequences even after the various orders of the court is very brazen. There is not much we can do when the orders of the High Court are violated with scant regard by the very body that is responsible for growth and development of Badminton.”
“Despite the support of more than 50% of the players who still wanted to take part and the team owners forgoing the Rs 1 crore prize money, we didn’t want the players to play with a sword hanging over their necks. It is unfortunate that the players would be losing out on the monies that would have helped them train and take care of their expenses,” said Prashanth.
Arvind Bhat, the League Director who was also present, reiterated the benefits of the league which was in favour of the players. “Apart from giving them a huge exposure, leagues give the players a chance to rub shoulders with the best players from across the world and learn techniques to reach the top,” said the former National champion and winner of many international events.
“Although our attempts to reach out to BAI thus far have proved futile, we will keep making efforts to reach out to them and find a way to work together. Though it is a big blow at the moment, GPBL Season 2 is only postponed for the moment, and will be back bigger, and grander soon.” said Prashanth.
