New Delhi, May 22: Former Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta believes her career could have soared higher if she had received consistent institutional support and remained free from controversies. In a candid interview, the former doubles player made serious allegations against VK Verma, the former president of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), claiming there were repeated attempts to sideline her career.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist opened up about the emotional and professional toll of battling the system while trying to compete at the highest level. Gutta stated, “VK Verma made every effort to end my career.” Reflecting on the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where she and Ashwini Ponnappa won gold just hours before Saina Nehwal clinched her singles title, Gutta expressed feeling a clear sense of discrimination during the celebrations.
She remarked, “Ashwini and I were the first female players to win gold, as we played two hours before Saina. Technically, we were the first women to win gold.” Gutta disclosed that she publicly expressed her disappointment at the time, alleging that Verma celebrated Saina’s victory while showing little enthusiasm for the doubles win.
“Two hours later, when Saina won, VK Verma rushed onto the court to celebrate her gold. Why was our gold not celebrated? That day, I said in an interview, ‘VK Verma is not happy that I won,’” Gutta recounted.
She further alleged that Verma removed her from the Indian team without any explanation, despite her capability to contribute to Indian badminton. After the Rio Olympics, she was sidelined again, which ultimately led her to consider giving up the fight against the system.
Gutta stated, “In 2006, I was removed from the team without any reason. This is all on record. After the Rio Olympics, I was sidelined again. After that, I thought, what’s the point in fighting? There’s no benefit.”
Despite these setbacks, Gutta argued that she could still contribute by training and sparring with young doubles players. “I even said that if I stay, junior players will benefit from sparring with me. Why are you removing me?” she questioned.
She emphasized that no player wants to be embroiled in disputes, but she felt compelled to fight for her career. “Which player wants to get into controversies? I had to fight for my rights. If I hadn’t, my career would have ended long ago. The system needs to change. We must make sports a profession that everyone can pursue, as no player can succeed without parental moral or financial support.”
Citing Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, she highlighted the importance of consistent investment and personal support in creating world champions. “How much money has been spent on Neeraj Chopra? We should first discuss this. To become a world champion, how much personal attention should a player receive? Neeraj Chopra is a great example of this,” she noted.
Gutta also shared her journey, asserting that she became the world’s number five player largely without financial help or sponsorship. “Without any support and financial assistance, I became the world’s number five player. If I had received support and been kept away from controversies, I would have been the world’s number one player,” she claimed.
Despite her frustrations, Gutta expressed her desire to contribute meaningfully to Indian sports and grassroots development. However, she acknowledged that in today’s sports world, political influence often determines whose voice is heard. “That’s why it’s essential to become a politician. Now, the easiest way to express oneself clearly is through politics; then no one will call you a rebel,” she concluded.
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