HYDERABAD: It was right before the Swiss Open that an airline had misplaced shuttler HS Prannoy’s kit bag that had all his equipment. The 24-year-old eventually had to borrow rackets to be able to participate in the tournament.
Such instances of an airline misplacing kit bags and luggage are not new. In the past there have been such occurrences where sports persons have suffered due to poor logistics. But what’s baffling is that Prannoy has been at the receiving end for the second time in just a month.
The ace shuttler along with the Indian badminton contingent flew to Jakarta to feature in the Indonesia Open. While all the players got their luggage in time, Prannoy and Saina Nehwal were informed that their luggage was missing by the concerned airline. The duo tweeted about the same early on Saturday after reaching their destination.
“Rest of team that was travelling with us got their luggage. Unfortunately Saina and I did not get our bags. Even the airline is not sure when we are going to get it. We are just hoping that they have not lost it,” Prannoy told Express from Jakarta.
The World No 29 found it hard to believe that such an incident had happened with him once again. “It is hard to digest that it can happen with you, that too twice. But I’m here to play a tournament, and want to focus on doing well here,” he added.
The duo, though, have their equipment with them which would ensure that both of them get to play in the tournament. The players are allowed to carry their equipment in the cabin itself.
The tournament begins on Monday, where Prannoy will play a qualifying round first, against Malaysia’s Zulfadli Zulkiffli, while Saina starts her campaign versus Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon on Tuesday.
madhav@newindianexpress.com