HC seeks badminton association reply on plea against over-aged players

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court today sought the response of Badminton Association of India (BAI) on a plea not to allow over-aged players to participate in the under-17 and under-19 national level badminton tournaments.
Justice Siddharth Mridul issued notice to BAI on the plea by a 15-year-old badminton player's father seeking directions to comply with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with regard to age restriction.
"Issue notice to BAI.BAI has to file its reply within four weeks," the court said and fixed the matter for further hearing on August 17.
The court, however, refused to restrain the two players, alleged to be over-aged, from participating in the ongoing All India Junior Boys and Girls Under-17 and Under-19 Ranking Badminton Tournament 2016 in Thiruvananthapuram, which will end on June 25.
The court was hearing a plea by Uttar Pradesh resident Issac Paul, who alleged that his son could not get a chance to go to Kerala for the under-19 games after these two allegedly over-aged players defeated him in selection trials.
He alleged that the two were not below 19 years and had obtained fake age certificates, which should be verified by the concerned authorities and till that time they should be barred from playing the games.
The petitioner also alleged that BAI, which is the governing body for the sport in India, has also failed to take note of his complaint.
The court declined the relief, saying the tournament has already begun and nothing can be done at this stage as the two were already playing.
Justice Mridul also observed that the petitioner came to the court only after his son lost to them.
The court said it cannot allow his prayers with regard to restraining the two from playing the ongoing tournament, but will hear Paul's plea only with regard to taking action against over-aged players as this was contrary to the Ministry's rule issued in 2009.