HYDERABAD: After winning the bronze in the World Badminton Championships doubles event in London, Jwala Gutta returned to her home town in the early hours of Sunday. There was no fanfare at the airport for the returning champion. On Tuesday, someone arranged a meeting with the state’s sportsman chief minister.He looked at her medal, stood for a picture and wished her all the best. And that was that.Jwala is miffed to no end that her home town is indifferent to her success, despite winning the first medal - in partnership with Ashwini Ponnappa - at the world championships s inc e Prakash Padukone’s bronze back in 1983. What miffs her further is that the city goes gaga whenever Saina Nehwal returns from a similar success abroad. “This is discrimination,” says Jwala.A case of star envy? “I’ve nothing against her,” says the left-hander. “We hardly meet but my relations with Saina are cordial. But I have an issue with the way other players have been treated.” 27-years-old Jwala complains that Saina has been given all the importance.“There are quite a few players who are doing equally well. I don’t know if it is discrimination but others too need the same type of encouragement and motivation as is being given to Saina.” Often known for aggression, Jwala says the general feeling is that badminton starts and ends with Saina in India. “But the Indian side is in need of doubles players to win tournaments. If this type of discouragement is done, we will continue to have a weak doubles combination,” she warns.
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