Though the tussle between the president of the Tamil Nadu Badminton Association (TNBA), Anbumani Ramadoss, and its secretary, Ashok Bajaj, came to an end with the Badminton Association of India (BAI) recognising the former, the battle for supremacy continued here between two factions.
The parties concerned are the Coimbatore District Badminton Association (CDBA) and the Coimbatore Badminton Association (CBA).
The latter, formed a year ago by a dedicated bunch of former national and international players, was given the affiliation by the State association recently.
The TNBA subsequently disaffiliated the former which has been holding fort since 1999. It did come as a big jolt for the CDBA.
Briefing media persons here on Thursday, the TNBA vice-president T. Maran said it was unanimously decided at the AGM to affiliate the CBA.
“The affiliation was not just given like that. We had watched the CBA very closely for a year and found them capable of working for the welfare of the players,” he said.
Talking about disaffiliating the CDBA, the TNBA joint secretary N. Arun said it was only after complaints poured in from the Coimbatore players that the State association had to interfere.
“The TNBA formed a committee to inquire on the complaints and it was found to be true.”
No animosity“We do not have any grudge or animosity against the CDBA. We still owe the growth of the sport to the CDBA but there’s a lot more that could have been done for the players,” said Swetha Krishnamurthy, the CBA secretary.
There’s no denying that Coimbatore has produced quality players.
There are others waiting to fly too but the CBA feels that their wings have been clipped of late.
“We are more concerned about the future of the players. We want to guide them to the top,” said Mutharasu Swaminathan, the CBA president.
The CDBA shared its cup of woes to The Hindu prior to their press conference held later in the day.
“After working so hard for close to two decades, we are entitled to be hurt. We may be totally wrong as the TNBA says but don’t kill the identity of the association,” said Shanthi Rao, its secretary.
“It is totally a personal grudge between a few people. They are washing dirty linen in public and have even pushed us to the corner but we are not for a split association,” she added.
Shanthi was ready to sit across the table with the CBA for the betterment of the players.
“We are ready to hand over the baton to the young group and step out gracefully. We have done enough for the players and we will continue to support the sport.”
