New Delhi, Aug 21 - The Badminton Association of India (BAI) Friday blamed the players for their entries not reaching in time for the China Masters Super Series as they did not confirm their participation as they should before every international event.

BAI president V. K. Verma said there was no negligence on the federation's part in not meeting the Aug 11 deadline for the entries to the tournament, starting Sept 15.

'The players are expected to confirm their participation so that entries could be forwarded to the organisers,' Verma told IANS.

Top players Saina Nehwal, Chetan Anand, Jwala Gutta and V.Diju were all supposed to play in the tournament.

'The international rule is that players have to inform the federation in writing for it to forward the entries,' he said.

The players, however, insisted they had intimated BAI four months ago about their participation in not only the China Masters but also other tournaments in the season.