Some courtesy, please

Yesterday was the inter-state final. PSPB, as expected, won in both the men's and women's sections. They beat Kerala for both titles. Thomas Kurien stretched Arvind Bhat to three games in a tight match, but the surprise was the ease with which Rupesh Kumar and Diju beat Jaseel Ismail and Sanave Thomas. They won 15-2, 15-4.
Jwala and Sruti also disposed off Aparna Balan and Fatima Nazreen with similar ease.

But the attitude of everyone -- players and officials -- during the prize distribution ceremony was disturbing. The chief guest -- a top man at Tata Steel, the sponsors -- was barely listened to as everyone waited restlessly for him to stop speaking. Players waited on the fringe of the court to start their practise as soon as he was done. People kept talking to each other -- which created a disturbing static that interrupted him throughout. There wasn't even polite respect for his short speech.

How do players expect top officials of respected companies to have any consideration for them if they can't show minimum courtesy?

These are areas where we need to learn discipline, courtesy and respect. It isn't enough picking the prize money. One has to respect where that money comes from. The organisers should have ensured silence before he began his speech.

Just before he was through, the players jumped on to the courts and started knocking around. Well, Tata Steel is a good company to have on your side; and the last thing badminton should do is turn them off.