Badminton Association of India secretary-general Vijai Sinha has alleged that certain individuals within the federation are fuelling rumours about star shuttler Jwala Gutta's link-up with former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin.
He called upon the officials and members of the BAI to stand alongside players under attack and foil the ill attempts being made against them.
"Unbecoming action and behaviour of certain individuals within BAI is bringing bad name to the entire association," Sinha said in a statement.
"Mohd Azharuddin had expressed his intention to contest for president of BAI, though he did not and it was no cause for anyone to feel hurt or belittled. There was no cause to retaliate and that too by stooping so low.
"If Azharuddin is aware of any individual being behind the attempted character assassination of two prominent sportspersons, he should stand with conviction to name them and not pass the blame to the entire association, and thereby unnecessarily earn maze foe," Sinha said.
Sinha said that such attempt made in sheer vendetta to damage the prestige of Azharuddin is also damaging the reputation morale and spirit of a prominent international shuttler Jwala Gutta, who holds seventh place in the world rankings.
"It is really regrettable. More deplorable is the fact that perpetrators of such misdemeanour are unconcerned of the fatal impact which this episode would cause to her husband Chetan Anand, who is reigning national champion."
He assured Gutta and Anand that the entire badminton fraternity will stand with them steadfast and render all support including exposing the persons behind such shameful attempts.
"I call upon all the players and officials and members of BAI to stand with the players under attack and foil all the ill attempts being made against them. I also request the media not to give hype of such issues which have no social or moral relevance," Sinha added.
