World number two Saina Nehwal could be seen in action in the next senior nationals after a gap of five years if the Badminton Association of India (BAI) enforces the new Players’ guidelines issued recently in letter and spirit.
In a bid to give a new lease of life to the domestic circuit, BAI has now made it mandatory for all players to participate in the Nationals and two international competitions organised in India by the sport’s governing body.
Players with a world ranking above 40 in singles and 25 in doubles will have to also play in at least one senior ranking tournament while all others will have to play two ranking tournaments in addition to the nationals.
According to the new guidelines, if the players fail to adhere to the rules laid down by the BAI, then they can be barred from participating in international tournaments for even six months.
Saina last played in the nationals in 2007 when she won her second national title in Patna. The BAI officials were miffed when the London Olympics bronze medallist pulled out of the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold meet in Lucknow in the first round citing injury. Saina had skipped the tournament the previous year as well.
With most top players choosing to stay away from domestic tournaments and concentrate on boosting their international ranking, the domestic circuit had taken a hit with organisers forcing cancellation of tournaments in the absence of a quality field.

P Kashyap’s trophy cabinet had many medals to show off. But the missing senior national title had been bothering the London Olympic quarterfinalists for far too long. But after today, the 26-year-old can breathe easy.
The Gopichand Academy trainee carved his name on the Vikas Topiwala Challenge Cup with an emphatic 21-18, 21-17 victory over Ajay Jayaram in the men’s singles final of the 77th Senior National Badminton championship here.
The Men’s singles final turned out to be a one-way affair with a spirited Kashyap continuing to display the same form that had helped him demolish his opponent in the semifinal. He was aggressive and went for the kill whenever the opportunity presented itself and never allowed Ajay to get any opportunity to stage a comeback.
“It is a big relief. I wanted to win this title for so many years and it’s a big burden off my shoulder now that I have won it. Ajay has had a fantastic tournament this week, but I was confident of winning. My heath gave me some trouble initially but that didn't affect me today,” said Kashyap, who had previously lost in two finals to Aravind Bhat.
In the women’s singles, Sayali Gokhale got the better of defending champion PV Sindhu 21-15, 15-21, 21-15 to regain the title she had won four years ago.
It was an absorbing affair with the tenacious Sayali maintaining her intensity throughout the one hour 15 minute encounter, thereby pushing Sindhu to the brink.