A champion crusader at his wits' end

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 19. Prakash Padukone is too much of a gentleman. A humble champion and now a silent, tireless worker who hopes to put India back on the world badminton map. However, unable to bear the constant humiliation at the hands some members of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), Padukone seems set to quit as its Executive President.

Indications are that very soon Padukone will go back to full-time coaching. Hurt at the accusations of having served his own financial interests while getting sponsorship worth Rs. 35 lakh from the BPL for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup qualifiers here, Padukone has all but reached a point of no return.

A majority of the people within the fraternity agrees that efforts should be made, especially by the BAI President, Mr. V.K. Verma and former Asian champion Dinesh Khanna, to persuade Padukone to carry on the good work.

As former National champion Vimal Kumar puts it, ``time has come for others in the BAI to bring in resources and not depend on Padukone.''

Quiz Padukone on the possibility of his parting ways with the BAI, and all you get is his trademark friendly smile and an answer like, ``it is a matter that can be resolved through internal discussion.''

Enquiries made by The Hindu revealed certain startling details that have forced Padukone against the wall.

Padukone's first offer to resign came after he took up the dealership of Ashway (makers of badminton equipment). Last year, Padukone's academy in Bangalore had signed an agreement with sponsor BPL on a `Development Fund' of Rs. 15 lakh. The amount was meant to be spent on funding the players on their overseas participation. Since last season, a number of players got opportunities to play abroad and today, only about Rs. 2.5 lakh remain in the fund.

When Padukone managed the title sponsorship of BPL for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup zonals, he wished to set aside Rs. 5 lakh (out of Rs. 35 lakh) towards the dwindling `Development Fund' until another contribution from the BPL could be arranged. This was done keeping in mind the expenditure involved in sending the players to the All England Open and the French Open next month.

However, it is learnt that at the behest of some of the BAI officials, an otherwise `busy' Mr. Verma asked Padukone to ensure that the entire sponsorship of Rs. 35 lakh went into BAI's kitty. An obviously hurt Padukone complied.

With major financial sponsorship coming from BPL (Rs. 35 lakh) and Indian Oil (Rs. 16 lakh), the International Badminton Federation giving a substantial (but undisclosed) amount in dollars, the equipment-support extended by Yonex, Air India, (Mr. Verma's employer) helping in kind and all overseas teams taking care of their hotel bills, there was hardly any financial burden on the BAI, on whose behalf the Delhi Badminton Association is hosting the event.

Further, when the Indian squad was due to shift from Janpath Hotel to Kanishka Hotel two days before the start of the Thomas and Uber Cup competitions, Padukone was asked by one of the BAI secretaries to settle the hotel bills from the `Development Fund.'

Padukone was upset that in rooms big enough for two, three players were being made to stay. Since each player is provided with just Rs. 300 per day as food and laundry allowance, it comes as no surprise that they visit nearby `dhabas' for dinner and carry their laundry to the venue since the charges at the Indira Gandhi Stadium are affordable.

On the other hand, the BAI has set aside Rs. 7.5 lakh for hosting the one-day Asian Badminton Confederation meeting over the weekend at the Inter-Continental Hotel here. Also, those coming to attend the BAI's two-day Annual General Meeting are also being extended hospitality at the same hotel where the Indian team is staying.

At a time when the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC) Secretary- General, Mr. Punch Gunalan, is talking about the progress made by Indian badminton in recent times, it is indeed sad that intrigues persist within the national federation.

Needless to say, the presence of Padukone in the BAI has brought a delightful difference to the fortunes of Indian badminton. His goodwill and spotless reputation attracted sponsors and the domestic circuit boasted of unprecedented prize- money, More importantly, the players, both juniors and seniors received adequate foreign exposure and thereby gained valuable ranking points, thanks also to matching assistance from the Union Government.

Today, Padukone deserves unconditional support because he is one man who is genuinely trying to `give back to the game' what he has got from it.

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