Gopichand Responsible For The Harassment I Had To Go Through: Jwala Gutta

Ace shuttler and Arjuna award winner Jwala Gutta has recently made a shocking revelation and pointed a finger at Pullela Gopichand. Till 2004 Gopichand and she were a team their relationship took a drastic turn, they parted after winning the National Badminton Championship title in mixed doubles together. Now, Gutta has said that Gopichand was responsible for a lot of opportunities she had missed during her active badminton career, Jwala claimed, "I hold him (Gopichand) responsible for the harassment I had to go through all these years. I am vocal and I have had to pay a huge price for that," India Today reported.

Jwala took a dig at the now chief national coach and added, "I acknowledge what he (Gopi) has achieved and I had expectations from him. Gopi knows my potential and what I was capable of. He was part of the establishment and he knew my potential, so it was quite natural for me to have expectations from him.”

She also opened up on the subject of racial remarks in the industry and how she came face to face with racist abuses on social media. She was addressed as ‘half-Corona’ because her mother is Chinese. Her father hails from Andhra Pradesh. Gutta has recently launched her academy in Hyderabad, represented India in mixed and women’s doubles events.

What You Should Know

• Jwala Gutta says she has missed a lot of opportunities during her active badminton career because of Pullela Gopichand.
• She also opened up about racial remarks she continues to face on social media.
• The player also claimed she paid the price for being vocal.
• Jwala said that since "the last 10-12 years, only players from Hyderabad or Telugu players are in prominence."

"If you notice, there were players from other states when Gopi used to play. So there was a time where top players used to come from different parts of the country. But for the last 10-12 years, only players from Hyderabad or Telugu players are in prominence. If a player is from one particular academy he will get recognition,” the 36-year-old also expressed.

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Further talking about this, she claimed, "If India wins a medal, it is because of Gopichand and if we don't do well, then it is the system that is to be blamed."

Jwala paired up with Ashwini Ponappa in 2011 to win India's maiden doubles medal at the World Championships.

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Feature Image Credit: Twitter

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