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"The BAI shakeup has changed nothing"

The resignation of beleaguered Badminton Association of India president Fazil Ahmed and the appointment, in his stead, of V K Varma as executive president will not mend matters, says former All England champion and head of the breakaway Indian Badminton Federation Prakash Padukone.

The former India star's reaction to events arising out of the BAI's special annual general body meeting on Saturday took the form of a scathing press release marked by a total absence of optimism. "The persons who misguided the previous president are still part of the present set up," Prakash argues. "Therefore, I do not see any possibility that the resignation of Fazil Ahmed will change the mode of functioning of the BAI. As far as we are concerned, there is no going back," Prakash says, effectively shutting the door on any possibility of a compromise.

Earlier, on Saturday, Fazil Ahmed (74), one of the longest serving sports administrators in the country, had stepped down from the post of president of the BAI following Padukone's rebellion.

V K Verma, who till then had held the post of executive president, formally took over from Ahmad as the head of the embattled BAI, and took pains to argue that the latter's resignation was not out of fear, but through a laudable desire to further the case of the sport in the country. "We hope to start meaningful dialogues with those opposed to the workings of the BAI and will do everything possible to affect a reconciliation," Verma said.

However, Verma at the same time appeared to be spoiling for trouble when he pointed out that "anyone indulging in indiscipline will be dealt with severely."

Verma argued that the shakeup in the BAI was merely because the association, which is responsible for the game in the country, "does not want a majority of the players to suffer for the mistakes of a few disgruntled elements."

Verma made it clear that while the BAI "will not discriminate against any player, no team or player sponsored by a disaffiliated unit will be permitted to take part in the national championships".

Not exactly the kind of talk that makes for reconciliation, points out Prakash in his reply. "Let me make clear that I harbour no ill will or animosity against any individual, least of all against Fazil Ahmad or other BAI officials. But I must point out that the IBF has come to stay. Many state units are poised to seek affiliation to our body.

"I have to point out that our fight is against the unconstitutional and arbitrary functioning of the BAI, which has given cause for much discontent among players and even to most of the state units.

"Mr Ahmad, in his statement, has said that I have been misguided by certain elements. I would like to mention that my only goal is to promote and develop badminton, to provide more facilities, incentives and exposure to our players through a professional approach."

Interestingly, Padukone's press release is totally silent on one crucial point - namely, Varma's offer of a dialogue aimed at reconciliation.

"While I have no personal animosity, I am most definitely against the unconstitutional and arbitrary functioning of the BAI, which has resulted in discontent among the players and most affiliated units.

"With total support from the players and public alike, I am confident that the IBC will perform ably for the purpose for which it has been formed. The IBC's primary intention is to promote and develop badminton in the country.

"The decision to form the IBC," says Prakash in his statement, "was taken after consulting with many people from various walks of life, and also after weighing the pros and cons. Here, I would like to stress that far from being 'misguided' by any individual, I have sought to provide impetus to Indian badminton and give it a new direction. I am trying to fulfill a long felt need."