Organisers of the World Badminton Championships apologised yesterday for playing a Franco-era anthem for Spain’s Carolina Marin after she defended India’s Saina Nehwal for her women’s singles title
Carolina Marin, wrapped in the Spanish flag, poses with her gold medal following her win over Indiau00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099s Saina Nehwal in the World Badminton Championships final at Jakarta yesterday
Jakarta: Organisers of the World Badminton Championships apologised yesterday for playing a Franco-era anthem for Spain’s Carolina Marin after she defended India’s Saina Nehwal for her women’s singles title. The 22-year-old smiled as organisers played the old version of the anthem that includes lyrics by poet Jose Maria Peman.
ADVERTISEMENT
Carolina Marin, wrapped in the Spanish flag, poses with her gold medal following her win over India’s Saina Nehwal in the World Badminton Championships final at Jakarta yesterday. Pic/AFP
“An older version of the anthem was played during the women’s singles medal ceremony following Marin’s retention of the title which she won a year ago,” the Badminton World Federation said in a statement.
“The Badminton World Federation and Indonesia Badminton Association, sincerely regret this unfortunate mistake.” During Franco’s 1939-75 regime schoolchildren learned a version of the anthem with lyrics by Peman but the words were never officially approved.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
