Doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa has lashed out at the way women's badminton doubles is being neglected in India. Ponnappa, currently ranked 20th in the world, called for more tournaments in her category so that young girls are encouraged. "I mean, it's sad. You expect results, you want performances, but where is the emphasis on women's doubles," Ponnappa asked on the sidelines of the Red Bull Shuttle Up finals in Kurla yesterday.

Ponnappa won gold in the mixed team event and a bronze in the women's doubles at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last April. "Where is the importance for women's doubles? There is no importance. What's the motivation given to them? I love the PBL [Premier Badminton League]. I think it has a great format, but it is sad that they don't have women's doubles.