Don't expect miracles from me says Prakash
Indian Badminton Confederation president Prakash Padukone has proposed a third entity to end the impasse between the Badminton Association of India and his
organisation.
Speaking to a United News of India correspondent in Guwahati on Thursday, the former All England Badminton
champion said the IBC would not merge with BAI, but suggested a
third entity with administrators from both organisations.
"We have suggested this to BAI, but they are insisting that
all the BAI executive members will remain in any alternate body
which is wholly unacceptable to the IBC. We cannot accept inclusion of these
band of people at any cost," Padukone asserted.
Regarding the famous "blank cheque" offer the BAI made him, Padukone said it was a delaying tactic while the BAI tried to delay things at the international level.
He said the IBC was concentrating on putting its own house in order and was preparing for major tournaments. Apart from prize money tournaments like the Rs 400,000 BPL All-India Badminton Tournament at Bangalore starting on September 10, the IBC would organise inter-state championships between September 23 and October 3. He, further revealed that the IBC would hold training camps, particularly for juniors, in various places of the country.
Padukone said though neither the International Badminton Federation nor the Indian Olympic Association had granted the IBC recognition, recognition would come sooner than later. The IBF now only recognises the BAI and had made it clear that it will not grant affiliation to any parallel organisation in the country.
"We are constantly in touch with them (the IBF and the IOA) and updating our position in various state organisations," he said, pointing out that the IBF clearly said that the players's interest would be served at all cost. This, he said, was the IBC's strength, since the IBC functions in 16 states.
Padukone pooh-poohed the BAI allegation that a disgruntled clique in its camp was using him as a front. Asked if he would allow the Union government or the ministry of human resources to mediate a compromise, he said, "frankly speaking I have never given a thought to that," adding that there was no possibility of a
compromise with the BAI.
"Do not expect miracle from me," India's greatest badminton star said. "I cannot not deliver any
dramatic change to badminton in India overnight, but the IBC will
honestly train and groom the shuttlers of the
country to their potential."
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