Government should now scrutinise Badminton Association of India

With the probe into Commonwealth Games irregularities on in full throttle, it is high time the Badminton Association of India is scrutinised too

Now that the Government of India is living up to its promise of probing all financial irregularities that surfaced before and after the Commonwealth Games, officials at the sports ministry should also look into the functioning of the Badminton Association of India (BAI).

Members of the badminton fraternity are fed up with high-handed behaviour of some top BAI officials and see no reason why the association should cease to be recognised as the body which runs the sport in this country.

The association continues to violate sports ministry guidelines on the restriction of terms for officials. There are several unanswered questions like, why did the Commonwealth Games organising committee order 26 courts for the Games when a mere 10 were required. According to sources, there were an extraordinary number of courts ordered for the World junior championships in Pune too. That the tournament needed 32 courts is hard to believe.

It will be worthwhile for investigative agencies to find out who was ordering so many courts and who's getting paid for luxuries. Also, what indeed is happening to all the remaining courts?

One should not be surprised if massive corruption and sheer waste is discovered here. Was there a tender process in place?

Jwala Gutta, who won the doubles gold with Ashwini Ponnappa at the Commonwealth Games last week, spoke on how hurt she was that no one from the BAI congratulated her after the triumph. The team championships' silver too did not bring out basic courtesy among the sport's rulers. That a player, who sheds blood, sweat and tears, doesn't get a token of appreciation from the parent body is sickening.

Not invited
Three badminton coaches, who helped India get medals at the Commonwealth Games were not even invited to attend the Games. Archana Deodhar, Ajay Kanwar and Vijay Deep Singh, who have won 15 national senior titles between them and spent at least 18 months preparing players to achieve ultimate CWG glory, were kept out.

Manjusha Kanwar, who resides in Delhi and is a badminton achiever, was also ignored amongst many others.

The excuse given was that there were no passes available.

Yet, everyone connected to the BAI be it as secretary or president of the affiliated units were present with Organising Committee passes,u00a0 enjoying the 11-day hospitality.u00a0 Such crass behaviour I have never experienced.

It only shows that the BAI exists only for its officials and those who vote people into power every four years.

During last year's World Championships at Hyderabad, the first ever held in India, no former player was invited.

In fact, even Dronacharya award winner Mohd Arif, who coached 2001 All England champion and now celebrated coach, P Gopichand was insulted and had to run from pillar to post to get his invitation.

It is learnt that BAI officials were paid in lakhs (per month mind you) for being part of the Commonwealth Games. Let the same people tell the country how much were these hapless coaches were paid to work 24x7 to ensure India give a good account of themselves in badminton.

The government should look into how and why officials of a national federation are paid huge amounts. If national champions, legends of the game and coaches who matter, are not given the respect they deserve, why does the BAI exist?

The author is a former India shuttler