IOA ecstatic after Verma\’s re-election as BAI president

NEW DELHI - Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Randhir Singh Sunday termed the re-election of V.K.Verma as the Badmimton Association of India (BAI) president a victory for the \”Olympic movement\” in the country.

Verma was facing stiff opposition from the sports ministry to continue in view of the government\’s guidelines which fixed tenures of sports administrators to 12 years, which Verma crossed with his re-election for a fourth term Sunday. BAI refused to toe the line and said it would not take any financial help from the government in future.

Randhir Singh, who himself has been the target of sports ministry on the tenure issue, said those who tried to interfere with the \”democratic and independent\” functioning of the sports bodies have been taught a lesson.

\”I see this as a victory for the Olympic movement in the country,\” Randhir Singh told IANS.

\”It is a big moment for sports in the country. Mr. Verma was re-elected unanimously and people who tried to prop up a candidate against him has been shown the door. I congratulate him and the badminton fraternity,\” he said.

IOA Senior Vice President Vijay Kumar Malhotra was more stinging in attacking the sports ministry, saying it was a slap in their face.

\”It is a lesson for the government. They should not interfere in our functioning and focus on Commonwealth Games preparation. The ministry supported Mohammad Azharuddin and tried everything possible to see that he becomes the next president.

\”The national sports federations have the right to elect a person on merit and BAI has done that today. The government guidelines infringe on our autonomy,\” said Malhotra, who is also the president of Archery Association of India.

Verma was unanimously re-elected as the president of the BAI for a fourth term of four years at its Annual General Meeting in Chennai Sunday.

Former Indian cricket captain Azharuddin, who announced his candidature for the president\’s post, was supported by the sports ministry but he finally decided not to contest.

The ex-cricketer, serving a life ban following allegations of match-fixing, reportedly pulled out of the fray at the last