BAI, IBC impasse continues

The newly formed Indian Badminton Confederation on Monday effectively slammed the door on any attempts to patch up the rift with the official Badminton Association of India, when it rejected the BAI offer to allow Prakash Padukone to take over the administration of the game in the country.

Padukone, in a media briefing in Mumbai, said the offer, made by BAI president P Varma, was merely a bid to stall the workings of the IBC.

Varma, while making the offer, had said Padukone could be installed as managing director of the national body. "There is nothing in the BAI constitution that provides for such a post, which indicates the offer is not serious," Padukone said. "I have therefore decided not to compromise with the BAI, but I must add that barring a few long-serving officials, the rest of the BAI is welcome to join us."

Rubbing it in, Padukone then went on to release a domestic calendar inclusive of six tournaments and a Grand Prix type Super Series. The calendar carries total prize money of Rs 4.4 million, which the IBC said it would provide - a clear departure from earlier days, when the state association in charge of respective tournaments had to find sponsorship and prize money on their own.

Again, the calendar has been carefully framed so that domestic and international tournaments do not take place at the same time. "Earlier, players used to miss foreign tournaments because they had to mandatorily attend some domestic tournaments, this time we have taken care to ensure there is no clash of dates," the former ace said, adding that the IBC's goal was to ensure that players got as many opportunities to play abroad as possible.

Padukone also announced that the first IBC annual general body meeting will be held in the last week of August. Appointment of national coaches, and the hiring of a professional outfit to get sponsorship, are expected to be the main items on the agenda.

"I was dragged into this mess against my will," Padukone told the media in conclusion. "Now that I am in, there is no question of turning back."