June 30, 1997
BANGALORE, June 29: Despite the resignation of Fazil Ahmed and appointment of VK Varma as the executive president of the Badminton Association of India, Prakash Padukone does not foresee any change in the functioning of the sport’s governing body. The administrative changes took place at BAI’s speical AGM in New Delhi yesterday.
Reacting to the developments, Prakash, who launched a parallel body, the Indian Badminton Confederation, said in a press release here today that the “persons who had misguided the previous president are still very much part of the present set-up.” As such, he believed that the BAI will not function any differently.
While clarifying that he did not harbour any animosity or ill-will againt any individual, “least of all Fazil Ahmed or other BAI officials,” Prakash, the former all-England champion and world No 1, said many state units had pledged support to and were likely to seek affiliation with the IBC.
He said he was against the “unconstitutional and aribitrary functioning of the BAI” which had given rise to discontent among players and most of the state units.
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Prakash, however, did not level any specific charges.
He was confident that the Confederation would perform ably for the purpose for which it was formed with the total support from the players and public.
IBC’s primary intention was to promote and develop badminton, provide more facilities, incentives and exposure to players with a professional approach and style of functioning.
The decision to form IBC was taken after consulting several people from various walks of life.
He said he had also weighed the pros and cons before taking the decision. “Far from being misguided by any individual, I have sought to provide impetus to Indian badminton and give it a new direction. I am only trying to fulfill a long felt need,” he added.
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