Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal pulls out of Badminton Asia Team Championships

New Delhi: India's ace shuttler shuttler Saina Nehwal has pulled out of the upcoming Badminton Asia Team Championships, starting Monday, owing to an injury her father Harvir Singh said.

Interestingly, the same injury had prevented her from participating in the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold tournament and the 12th South Asian Games.

The Badminton Asia Team Championships is stated to be held at the Gachibowli stadium.

Her father stated that she pulled out long ago at the end of last month.

"Saina pulled out long ago, somewhere end of January. She took exemption from the Lucknow Open, South Asian Games and this tournament (Badminton Asia) starting in Hyderabad from Monday," he said.

She had also said in the communication to Badminton Association of India (BAI) that the recovery would take less time owing to the rest from the three competitive tournaments, according to him.

Saina, currently ranked world number two, is recovering and would be playing in the All England Championships, he said.

(With PTI inputs)