PV Sindhu receives apology from Badminton Asia Technical Committee for umpiring error

How many times have you witnessed a sporting body apologising to an athlete? Rarely, right? But it happened with Indian star shuttler PV Sindhu and that too on her 27th birthday on Tuesday.

Badminton Asia Technical Committee chairman apologised to the two-time Olympic medalist for the 'human error' made by the referee during Sindhu's semifinal match against Japan's Akane Yamaguchi at Badminton Asia Championships in April.

The incident took place in Sindhu's match at the time when the former world champion had won the first set and was leading 14-11 in the second game. Sindhu was handed a point penalty for time-wasting which shifted the momentum towards Yamaguchi. The game then went into the decider which the current world champion Yamaguchi won.

Sindhu didn't waste time and had written a letter to the world body and the Asia badminton confederation protesting against the unfair umpiring.

Apologising to Sindhu, the official said in a letter that there is no rectification at this time and they have taken the necessary steps to avoid a repetition of this human error.

"We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to you. We believe it is part of the sport and that it is accepted as such," the letter further read.

The Hyderabad shuttler compromised with a bronze medal and didn't appear in the medal ceremony to show her dissatisfaction.

Also read: Badminton Asia C'ships 2022: PV Sindhu settles for bronze after losing to World no. 2 Yamaguchi in semis