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.