Chicken pox downs Saina,Indian medal hopes

The 19-year-old insists she will get on court when the tournament starts in 10 days in Hyderabad. But chicken pox will not only be a serious impediment to her chances,it has also punctured the buoyancy of the biggest badminton spectacle to be staged in India.

It will be itching for 3-4 days,the fever is now subsiding. But Ill still wait for another 3-4 days before deciding what to do, Nehwal told The Indian

Express from her Hyderabad home,insisting that she was confident of still playing the tournament.

The medication is for the fever but we can only decide future training schedules once the doctor gives a go-ahead. There are,however,no immediate concerns about my participation in the tournament as of now, she said.

Dr Hari Prasad,CEO of Apollo Hospitals where Nehwal sought treatment,said the infection was receding and she should be ready to take to the court by the time the world championship starts. It is already receding,and there is no fever now. But well wait for the itching to stop and then take a call, he said.

Nehwal complained of fever and body-ache on Monday and Tuesday as raw pockmarks started showing on her forehead. We first though it was just insect-bite. But when she woke up Wednesday complaining of boils in her mouth,we took her to the doctor immediately where they diagnosed chicken pox, Sainas father Dr Harvir Singh said.

Chicken pox is self-limiting and theres little other than anti-viral medicines that are prescribed. Nehwal has been advised to stay at home and not risk travel,Dr Hari Prasad added.

Trainer Heath Matthews said the timing was extremely unfortunate and a huge blow to her preparations. It depends on how well she responds. Generally ten days is not ideal to recover your energy because there will be weakness,and we dont want to rush her through the infection, he said. But shes a very tough girl and with her talent,Im sure she can do well,even if shes playing at her sub-optimum.

The world championship will feature top badminton players,including mens No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and womens No. 1 Zhou Mi of Hong Kong,along with a strong Chinese contingent led by Beijing mens gold medallist Lin Dan.