VK Verma's resignation as prez can herald a new era for Badminton Association of India (BAI)
VKu00a0Verma's resignation as prez can herald a new era for Badminton Association of India (BAI)
After the reported resignation of Badminton Association of India (BAI) president V K Verma, the committee must now work hard to regain the trust and support of the players.
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| Indian badminton Saina Nehwal should be well looked after the BAI at all times. |
BAI should conduct itself with transparency. The officials must work for the good of the game and the players, without throwing their weight around.
Many national team players are unhappy about the way they are treated by senior officials. They allege not having received endorsement and sponsorship fees promised by BAI.
Most tournaments are being held in pathetic conditions. There is an urgent need to pump heavy funds into the sport. There are hardly any big prize-money events even at the national level. Indian players and coaches get very little remuneration.
Former India cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin has shown intent to help change the scenario by bringing in a system inspired by the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) methods wherein, players would get graded contracts and pension after they retire.
It is high time the BAI became more professional. In most other associations including the Badminton World Federation (BWF), there is either a CEO or a General Manager to look after the administrative aspects of the game. The elected council lays down the policies, which are then implemented by a secretariat which then oversees all aspects of the game. The world body has Thomas Lund, a former Swedish international, as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). Lund and his team run the BWF.
Move forward...The BAI must move towards implementing such changes. In today's world, media plays a crucial role in highlighting the strengths of the sport.
The BAI must also bring in professionals to handle all aspects of media relations. Some Indian juniors have done extremely well internationally but these results have not been published simply because there is no one in the BAI liaising with the media.
Lastly, Saina Nehwal is the pride of Indian sports. She has brought laurels to the country. Yet, it is shameful that at times her visas reach her late, or her international medical insurance is not done. Sometimes she is forced to pay for her international trips.
It happened for the Hong Kong Super Series last December. It is learnt that Olympic Gold Quest, headed by Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone and other sportspersons, stepped in to finance the trip. BAI must dedicate two officials to handle her career at every level.
It is hoped that under the new dispensation, all issues can and will be addressed.
The writer is a former India player
