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Chinese officials favour their local players, say shuttlers

Chinese officials use unfair tactics to grab Olympic berths for their players and favour them in tournaments held in their home country, top international shuttlers, including India's Saina Nehwal, have claimed.

Nehwal, Denmark's Peter Gade and Malaysia's Taufik Hidayat said officials favour local players while playing in China and sometimes these things become too much to swallow.

World number five Saina, who lost to little-known Chinese girl Xiao Jia Chen in the second round of the Asian Badminton Championship last week, said she have been a victim of their unfair tactics.

'Actually, I don't really care when I play in China. When you play in China, sometimes the line calls, umpires, could affect you. It has been happening for so many years. So we (international players) know what to expect there,' said Saina, who is taking part in the Yonex Sunrise India Open.

'I am not complaining but in China sometimes, it's a bit too much. It is not only about line calls. They favour some players and their players feel confident because they have got all the backing,' she said.

Another Indian ace Jwala Gutta, who is aiming to become the first Indian to qualify for two badminton events - mixed and women's doubles - in Olympics, said such tactics are not good for the game.

'It's not good for the game, but they are the Chinese and we can't do anything about it. They are the dominant power and they are doing it openely and will do things their way. They make it very clear that they want gold, silver, bronze. Sports is top priority in their country and it is there strategy,' she said.
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