Popat a doubtful starter for Uber Cup qualifiers

India's prospects at the Uber Cup Asian preliminaries suffered a major setback with Popat being a doubtful starter.

India's prospects at the Uber Cup Asian preliminaries suffered a major setback with its best bet Aparna Popat being a doubtful starter and the Badminton Association of India contemplating a replacement for her.

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Popat, the nine-time national champion, has already missed nine days of the ongoing camp at Jalandhar and has extended her leave by another 10-days, citing a leg injury.

"We received a letter from her (Aparna) yesterday that she will not be able to attend the camp for another ten days due to a leg injury," BAI Secretary LC Gupta said on Saturday.

This means the Maharshtra girl would be able to resume the practise at the camp which started on January 20, only a week before the competition, which is slated to begin at Jaipur on February 14.

Gupta said they would discuss the issue on Sunday and could also look for a suitable replacement.

"We will discuss the matter with the President VK Verma, who is coming tomorrow, and take a decision. We can also look for her replacement as she has hardly any practice at the camp," he said.

Eleven Asian teams, including the hosts, in women's section will fight for three berths from Asia for the Uber Cup finals to be held in Japan in April this year.