BAI not to skirt the issue

Association cites Indian culture to protest new dress code,wants players to take final call

The Badminton Association of India BAI,along with like-minded Asian countries,including Indonesia and Pakistan,is to raise objections to the decision of the world body to make it mandatory for women players to wear skirt from June 1 at international events. The rule,which was to come into effect from May 1,was postponed by a month for member countries to get a better understanding.

Members will get an opportunity to air their views when the skirt rule general competition regulation 19.2 comes up for discussion under the any other business section at the Badminton World Federations BWF Annual General Body meeting to be held at Quingdao,China,on the sidelines of the Sudirman Cup.

BAI general secretary Vijay Sinha told The Indian Express that the BWFs skirt rule goes against the culture of Indian women. It is not right to make it mandatory for all women players to wear skirts while playing. It goes against our culture and cannot be imposed on our players. We want the BWF to give women players the option of wearing shorts or skirts. I will have a discussion with our team members who will be playing the Sudirman Cup,but we want the BWF to give our women players the option of wearing shorts also.

If the rules are eased then those who want to play in skirts can do so and those who are not comfortable can wear shorts or track pants. We will also have a discussion with representatives of other like-minded Asian countries including Indonesia, Sinha said. Sinha and vice-president TPS Puri will represent the BAI in Quingdao.

BAI Super Series marketing manager S Selvam said on Friday that if member countries raise objections to the rule during the AGM,the world body will take a final decision on the skirt rule at its council meeting schedule for June 3.

Working a compromise

In an effort to convince the more traditional members to agree with the skirt rule the BWF has said: rule does not mean that women players have to wear short skirts. Players will continue to wear shorts if they wish to but wear a skirt over the top of the shorts. It has never been the intention of the BWF to portray women as sexual objects,and nor is that what we are doing.

However,objections continue to be raised with Badminton Asia Confederation vice-president Syed Naqi Mohsin not in favour of the ruling. The BWF states that the new regulation will not discriminate against any religion or beliefs. How can wearing skirts not clash with the religious beliefs of female Muslim players, she asked.