In a development that has the potential to change the face of badminton in the country, India's V K Verma was unanimously elected as vice-president of the International Badminton Federation in Beijing [Images] on Sunday.

Verma, who is president of the Badminton Association of India, is the first Indian to occupy such a senior position in the IBF.

Verma, a Commercial Director with Air India, was elected at the IBF's Annual General Body meeting in the Chinese capital.

"This position in the IBF would help wider sponsorship and development of the game in India and conduct of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games [Images] in Delhi [Images] in which badminton is an important sport," Verma said after his election.

"I am grateful to all countries in Asia, Middle East and particularly, China, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan [Images] for unanimously proposing my name even though India, in respect of badminton, is well behind them," he said.

This is the highest post in the IBF to which an Indian has been elected in over 50 years of the federation's existence.

Before Verma, badminton legend Prakash Padukone [Images] was a Council Member in the IBF.

Verma's name was proposed by all countries of Asia and Middle East. He would now be overseeing the administration and development of the game in this continent.

The Annual General Body meeting was held prior to the IX Sudirman Cup world mixed team championships, to be held in Beijing from May 10-15.

Verma is said to have played a key role in successfully pursuing a campaign that led to the IBF headquarters being shifted from United Kingdom to Malaysia and thus the administrative control of the game moving from Europe to the hands of Asians.

Asian countries had felt that since the continent is the powerhouse of the game, including financial resources raised from sponsors, the game should rightfully be administrated by Asians and not from its headquarters in London [Images].

Verma was elected president of the Badminton Association of India in 1995 when the federation is facing rampant factionalism.

But after Verma came in as its president, Padukone joined him for one tenure and the game in the country has looked up ever since.