The shortage, it is learnt, came about after consignments were not allowed to enter the country without certif... Read More

BANGALORE: In a year huge in terms of events held in the country, Indian badminton is facing a shortage of shuttlecocks. Having recently hosted the India Open Super Series and gearing up to welcome top nations for the prestigious Thomas and Uber Cup team championships in May, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has been caught off guard by production delays and import restrictions.

"Yes, there is a shortage of shuttles at the moment, but we have ensured that players have not missed any practice sessions because of it, procuring them from local suppliers and other sources," BAI vice-president TPS Puri told TOI on Tuesday.

BAI imports top quality shuttles produced in China via Singapore in large consignments of around 2,000-3,000 cartons which contain enough shuttles to last a year.

The shortage, it is learnt, came about after consignments were not allowed to enter the country without certificates prescribed by the government.

"This practice came into force a couple of years back when fears of bird flu reached their peak," Puri said. "As per the animal husbandry department directives, certificates would be issued after feathers were treated and boiled in water for 30 minutes.

"However, our suppliers stated that this process would ruin the feathers and needed time to work on alternative techniques to meet the standards," Puri said.

A solution was found but not without fresh problems. Feathers were washed in boiling water and immediately sent to Japan for a three-week quarantine period. But the detour led to big delays in shipment to India. Even now, BAI has ordered around 2,000 cartons and is hoping that it would receive the consignment by the first week of May.

The shortage, sources said, had affected shuttlers in the three national camps ahead of the prestigious All England championships earlier this year.