Azhar to fight BAI elections despite opposition

Former cricket captain Mohd Azharuddin threw his hat into the ring for the Badminton Association of India's Presidential elections amid strong opposition from incumbent V K Verma.

Former cricket captain Mohd Azharuddin threw his hat into the ring for the Badminton Association of India’s Presidential elections amid strong opposition from incumbent V K Verma.

The 47-year-old former cricketer from Hyderabad said he wants to bring professionalism,accountability and transparency in the system and contribute to the game,which is growing rapidly in India.

“I have been contemplating to contest the elections for the last 4-5 months and I think this is the right time to stand for the elections,” Azharuddin told reporters.

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“I want to bring professionalism,accountability and transparency in BAIs working. I don’t want to criticise anybody,it’s just that I have some ideas and I want to bring some change and contribute to the game,” he added.

However,Verma,who has been at the helm for the last 12 years,said Azharuddin is not eligible to contest as he is not an office bearer of any state unit and is also serving a life ban imposed by the BCCI for alleged match-fixing.

“Anybody aspiring to be contest has to be an office bearer of any of the state units,which Mr Azharuddin is not.

Moreover,I have received written proposals from three states and calls from seven other units who have questioned his eligibility to contest since he is serving a life ban by BCCI,which is also a national federation,” Verma said.

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Verma said the issue will be discussed in the General Body meeting on June 13 and voting will be done.

“The state units have requested that Azharuddin’s eligibility issue should be tabled in the meeting on June 13 in Chennai,” he added.

Asked about the questions raised by the state units,Azharuddin said,”The life ban was imposed by the BCCI and I am fighting it in the court. So I don’t think this makes me ineligible for the elections.”

Last month,the Sport Ministry had limited the tenure of the administrators of the National Sports Federations (NSF),who have held the positions for more than a decade.

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Asked if the Sports Ministry is behind his decision to contest the BAI elections,since Verma has already been at the helm for 12 years,Azharuddin said while he supported government’s move,his decision has nothing to do with it. “It is a good move by the government. I think the current administrators have also contributed but having said that,the government’s guidelines should also be followed and there should be a change,” he said.