Prakash pained by leak in BAI boat

CHENNAI, JANUARY 31: The apparently calm waters of the Badminton Association of India is proving to be no more than a facade. Executive pr...

CHENNAI, JANUARY 31: The apparently calm waters of the Badminton Association of India is proving to be no more than a facade. Executive president Prakash Padukone’s letter of clarification, which he had sent to all the affiliated units, has now leaked to media.

When contacted in Bangalore on Monday, Padukone told this paper: “I am surprised that the letter has been leaked to the media. The circular was meant strictly as an in-house communication from me to the various affiliated units of the BAI. Obviously, I cannot deny the circular, but beyond that, I wouldn’t like to comment. I think, the letter is self-explanatory.”

Padukone also states in the letter that he had volunteered to step down as the BAI’s executive president after taking up the dealership of Ashaway Badminton Products “earlier this year”. But VK Verma, the BAI president, had urged Padukone to continue.

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Though he did not say it in as many words, it was clear that Padukone was unhappy that certain sections of the BAI had spread rumours questioning the handling of the association’s finances by the 1980 All-England champion and former World No 1 player.

In view of such “unsubstantiated” allegations, Padukone thought it fit to clarify his position with regard to the BAI funds under certain heads.