City’s Malvika in Indian squad
   Date :11-Sep-2020

 Malvika Bansod _1 &
 
 
Sports Reporter :
 
Sindhu, Srikanth to lead India in Thomas & Uber Cup; BAI cancels preparatory camp
 
 
CITY’S top shuttler Malvika Bansod has been named in the Indian squad for next month’s Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) said on Thursday. Malvika, who is India Number 2 in BAI Rankings at just 19, was selected for Sports Authority of India’s proposed preparatory camp in Hyderabad which was originally scheduled to start on September 7 and conclude on September 27 for the event set for October 3 to 11 in Aarhus, Denmark.
 
However, the camp was cancelled on Thursday after it became clear that players would not get any relaxation on the seven-day mandatory quarantine period and BAI then decided to announce the team. With September 18 being the cut-off date for sending entries for the prestigious biennial tournament, the six-member selection committee was earlier supposed to pick the team on September 17. Malvika becomes third player from the city to represent India. Arundhati Pantawane and Vaishnavi Bhale were part of the Indian contingent for the Uber Cup in past.
 
The city lass felt honoured to be included in the Indian team. “I am very glad to get this opportunity. It is an honour to represent the country in the Uber Cup event. I want to thank BAI , my coach Sanjay Mishra sir, MBA President Mr Arun Lakhani, NDBA Secretary Mr Mangesh Kashikar for their support, guidance and encouragement,” Malvika told ‘The Hitavada’. With the camp cancelled, the governing body asked the selected players to keep training on their own and submit fitness certificate by September 17. “The selected players have been asked to submit fitness certificate by September 17 and players have been advised to train on their own and keep BAI updated on their regular fitness and training status,” BAI said.
 
“Team departure will be intimated to the players in due course of time once everything is finalised.” World champion PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth will lead a 20-strong Indian badminton squad. The women’s team for Uber Cup will be led by Sindhu, who made herself available for the tournament after initially deciding to give it a miss following a timely intervention by BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma. (with inputs from PTI)