A-I may reconsider affiliation to BAI

MUMBAI: Indian badminton is headed for turbulent times once again. The word doing the rounds is that badminton powerhouse, Air-India has decided to disaffiliate itself from the Badminton Association of India (BAI). That would mean that the ‘bird’ game will lose not just sponsorship but also free air tickets worth Rs 3 lakh a year.
These fears are about to come true.For, Pravin Barve, secretary of the Air-India Sports Control Board, confirmed they were considering such an action. ‘‘Indeed, we are thinking on those lines (disaffiliation). The final decision is likely within a week,’’ Barve revealed.
Interestingly, V K Verma, the president of the BAI, is with Air-India but not with their sports board. Many see the internal politics within the airline as a reason behind this drastic move of disaffiliation. Said Barve: ‘‘I’m not in a position to comment on that.’’
Attempts to reach NS Rajan, president of the Air-India Sports Control Board, went in vain.
The BAI secretary LC Gupta had written to Air-India on January 27 about renewing their affiliation after the Annual General Meeting. He had also given them an option of paying a fee of Rs 1.5 lakh instead of the ‘‘free air tickets’’ agreement. But the BAI didn’t get any response from them. Air-India have numerous junior players in their ranks (on contract basis) including India No. 2 Trupti Murgunde. They have also won the National junior team title this season. What would happen to these players? For, many of them are likely to lose the crucial financial aid. Said Barve: ‘‘We are thinking of continuing with the players.’’
According to the understanding between Air-India and the BAI, the former was affiliated to the parent body without paying any fees. Instead, they had committed to give free air tickets to players worth Rs 3 lakh a year ‘‘only if the seats are unsold.’’ It used to provide invaluable foreign exposure to budding shuttlers. But with the possibility of disaffiliation looming large, sponsor-starved badminton is set to lose a lot.