Bird flu leads to shuttlecock shortage in India

Oh no! What are we going to do? No more "Good Times, Badminton"


The bird flu is not just taking a toll on chickens, it's latest victim is the sport of badminton in India.

India's preparatory camp for the Thomas and Uber Cup qualifiers, which was to begin in Goa on Wednesday, was cancelled because of a shortage of shuttlecocks.



There are no shuttlecocks to practice with because the Union Agriculture Ministry has banned the import of feathers from China after a bird flu outbreak there.

China and Chinese Taipei have the best quality of goose feathers which go into making shuttle cocks.

With all international tournaments played with these shuttles only, the Badminton Association of India has had to call off the camp.