BAI all set to show Verma the door

The battle for the Badminton Association of India's top post is gathering momentum with key officials of the association agreeing to conduct elections for the post of president and treasurer during the Asian under-19 championship, starting in Lucknow on July 2.

The battle for the Badminton Association of India's top post is gathering momentum with key officials of the association agreeing to conduct elections for the post of president and treasurer during the Asian under-19 championship, starting in Lucknow on July 2.

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After VK Verma was forced to resign as president following his arrest in the Commonwealth Games scam, the opposing group is reportedly working overtime to push for elections in order to gain full control of the badminton body.

Taking advantage of the fact that the sports ministry has recently struck down the association from the list of affiliated national federations - and even stopped direct financial assistance - the group is using this as a ploy to go ahead with the polls.

As for the ministry, it has allowed BAI to go ahead with the elections. "The association will abide by the election guidelines and appoint a returning officer and issue notices to all member units as per the BAI constitution," the sports ministry's under secretary, Shankar Lal, has stated in his letter to BAI chairman, Akhilesh Das.