By IANS,
New Delhi/Chennai : Brimming with confidence, V.K.Verma, Badminton Association of India (BAI) president, Friday invited Mohammad Azharuddin to Sunday’s election, telling the former India cricket captain he will continue in office as long as his colleagues want him to.
Verma said the government guidelines or no guidelines, he will contest the elections since he enjoys “overwhelming” support in BAI.
“I am surprised some speculative and inspired media reports have suggested that anonymous BAI members want me to step down since I have completed 12 years as president,” Verma told IANS ahead of Sunday’s annual general meeting (AGM).
“Actually, Azharuddin has been talking of the guidelines after his sudden interest in badminton, but I am not going to oblige him. I am hundred percent contesting the election,” he added.
Azharuddin, Congress MP from Moradabad, has been banned for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following match-fixing imbroglio, and last week he announced his intention to oppose Verma for BAI president’s post with the tacit backing of the sports ministry.
BAI constitution allows Azhar to contest the election without being a member, but his candidature has to be proposed and seconded by any of the affiliated units.
“Azharuddin is welcome to contest or for that matter, anyone. The BAI Constitution provides for persons other than those from the affiliated units to contest for the posts of president and secretary,” said Verma.
“The names should be proposed and seconded on the floor of the AGM. In the case of Azharuddin, since he is not a delegate or associated with any affiliated State unit, he cannot attend the AGM, but has to give his acceptance in writing if he is proposed and seconded,” Verma said.
“There are 34 affiliated units and 65 votes as those who have conducted the National championship are eligible for two votes,” explained Verma.
Referring to the sports ministry’s allegation that the BAI has scaled down its government grants, Verma said it is the ministry that has bloated the figures by adding airfare and other sundry allowances paid to the Indian teams to international events as grants.
“The ministry could have as well added the money spent on the indoor stadium at Siri Fort to inflate the figure of grants to BAI,” Verma quipped.
Defending his decision to contest for a fourth time in contravention to the 12-year ceiling put forth by the Union Sports Ministry, Verma said: “The government guidelines come into play if you are seeking its financial assistance.”
Verma, who has just returned from London after attending a Commonwealth Games Federation meeting, said there is no question of backing off from elections at a time when Indian badminton is at the take-off stage.
“In the last couple of years, BAI has taken a number of steps to popularise the game in the country, resulting in more and more youngsters taking to sport. We never had so many players at the top level internationally as we now have.”
Verma, who enjoys sufficient support, said BAI is “financially self sufficient” now.
“We have signed contracts with various sponsors to generate Rs.4 crore annually. So, we will not be requiring any financial assistance from the government.”
Verma said a major chunk of the revenue will be set aside for the players besides launching prize-money series at home for juniors and seniors.
“Our establishment costs will not exceed Rs.20 Lakh and the rest will be utilized towards our players’ participation in international tournaments, about 10 each year for 10 players. We have plans to introduce 14 prize-money tournaments for seniors and juniors besides the National championships.”
“Further, the BAI has been allotted a international Super Series (minimum prize-money $200,000) for the next three years from 2011. So, overall, we are quite comfortable with regard to the funds,” he said.
As for the election of other office-bearers, Verma said it will all be smooth, picking agreeable names for various posts.
Verma harped on transparency in not only administration but also in its dealings with the players by way of an autonomous selection committee comprising former internationals and also inducting two player representatives in the BAI executive committee with voting rights.
“We are urging Gopichand (former All-England champion) and Ami Ghia (former eight times National woman’s champion) to form a players’ association that in turn will nominate its representatives for the executive committee. Our selection committee is an autonomous body and the intention is for transparency in administration,” he said.