Newly-appointed Delhi Badminton Association president Mohammad Azharuddin feels BAI has declared DBA a defunct body based on "lame excuses" and said the city's shuttlers would be affected because of federation politics.
"BAI doesn't have any reason to defunct DBA. These are all lame excuses. We have followed everything, there has been communication with the BAI about our affairs. It is against the sports charter. They haven't sent us any notice or gave DBA any hearing. It is injustice," Azharuddin told reporters.
"It doesn't augur well for sports. If someone doesn't like another face and float another association, it can happen all over India. It is not right. DBA has done no wrong and they have to recognise us," he added.
The former Indian cricket captain further said, "You cannot just stop players like that. The main purpose of federation is to run the game smoothly and and make sure players are comfortable. At the end of the day, players will bring name to them and not otherwise. Or else the players will suffer."
The BAI had declared DBA as 'defunct' without disaffiliating it, citing that the state association didn't follow election norms in 2010 and it had not legally elected office-bearers as per its own constitution.
"This is not good for the sport. I am not here to fight or threaten anybody. DBA and BAI has the same intention and should work together," said Azharuddin, who took over from former president Vinod Dhawan early this month.
BAI wants DBA to send them a list of its districts which it can verify. It also wants the state association to hold elections in the presence of BAI and Government observers.
BAI has given its affiliation to Delhi Capital Badminton Association (DCBA) during its Executive committee meeting on April 27 and ever since the DBA has been in a judicial battle with the governing body.
The Sports Ministry has also asked for a detailed report from the BAI on its decision to grant recognition to DCBA without issuing notice or cancelling recognition of DBA.
