New Delhi:
Newly-appointed president of Delhi Badminton Association (DBA), Mohammad Azharuddin says legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone is the best man to run the sport in India.
Talking about the sports federations' attempts to keep players away from administration, Azharuddin said: "It has been happening for so many years, otherwise, Prakash Padukone would have been here. He is the best man to run badminton in India. He has played the sport with great distinction and won so many tournaments. Why do you thing he is not coming? He nowadays doesn't like talking about badminton elections.
"Players know what players want. If you don't give them chance how do you know how good they are. It is totally injustice. In Hockey, two federations keep fighting and so we don't win any medals.
"What happened in Tennis, we could not win medals in Olympics. These things could be avoided," said Azharuddin, who took over from former president Vinod Dhawan.
After his retirement in 1991, the former world No 1 and 1980 All-England champion Padukone had launched the Indian Badminton Confederation (IBC) as a rival to BAI in 1997 to give a new direction to the sport.
He was also the coach of the Indian national badminton team in 1993 and 1996.
The 50-year-old Azharuddin, who is trying to roll back Badminton Association of India (BAI)'s decision to declare DBA as a defunct body, said he wants to make a difference and is committed to the job.
"I want to do something better this time. Last time when I tried to contest the elections in 2010, things were different. That was a bold step. I wanted to tell people what was happening in BAI and we all know now after 2010 CWG scams. I didn't get much chance at that time. Anyways, now I am here. I want to do something for badminton," said Azharuddin.
"I am not here to just lend my name. I am in a position now and I want to make things happen in the right way.
