Bangalore: India's top woman shuttler Aparna Popat has pulled out of the coming Asia Games in South Korea, in a setback to the country's medal prospects in Badminton.

Aparna, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and ranked 39 in the world, said on Tuesday her decision stemmed from the fact that the government is very keen on medal prospects in the Busan event which she expects to be a tough tournament.

"Instead, I would focus on the European circuit beginning in a month's time. I will be playing in the Dutch Open, the Danish Open and the German Open", the 24-year-old said from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus, where she is under training.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) had cracked the whip after the unimpressive show by the Indians at the recent Commonwealth Games and scrapped the 14-member squad and announced a two-member team, consisting of Pulella Gopichand and Aparna, for Busan.

PTI