Saina’s passport delay might cost her the tournament

Saina had qualified for the prestigious December 18 to 21 event on Thursday after two of the Chinese shuttlers pulled out of the event making way for the World number 10 Indian.

The teenager, who had last week applied to renew her passport and was promised to be issued new one on Wednesday, was told on Friday that she could not get it before Monday.

“I had applied for the renewal of the passport on December 2 and they had assured to issue it on December 10 but they didn’t do that. So I tried to meet the passport officer yesterday but she said the office had closed and she was in a meeting so she couldn’t meet and I would only get the passport on Monday,” she said.

Saina, who had reached the fourth round of the women’s singles badminton in the Olympics, was disappointed at the treatment meted out to her.

“I am really sad about the way they treat sportspersons in the country. I mean, it is their responsibility to take care of the sportspersons not only about cricket but other sports as well. I play tournaments almost every week and so I can’t wait for two weeks, they should issue the passports within 24 hours. I never speak against any sport but I am deeply hurt by the way I was treated. We are also sportspersons, we are also medal contenders, you just can’t neglect us in this way,” an angry player said.