JOIN USBAI president VK Verma unveiled the deal and also introduced a new model of financial governance to ensure transparency so that the money is channelised in the right direction.
“The entire receivables from the sponsorship would go directly to the players and BAI will not use any of it for its administrative costs,” Verma said.
“We will have a panel of four distinguished players — Prakash Padukone, Pullela Gopichand, Dinesh Khanna and Ami Ghia Shah — to administer the money received from the sponsorship and there will be no interference from the BAI,” he said.
Ace shuttler Saina, who was felicitated with a silver racquet for winning the Padma Shree award, said it is a big day for Indian badminton.
Big day
“It is a big day for Indian badminton and I am very proud today. I hope this gives us encouragement and support to perform even better. It is very tough to continue playing badminton without financial help and I hope now all the players can focus on the game more,” Saina said.
Verma said a gradation system will be introduced for the Indian shuttlers and their names will be announced by April 13.
“It will be a two level or three level contract system where players in the top 10, top 20 and top 30 will be given a contract for one year according to their performance and world ranking,” he said.
“The list of top 12 seniors and four junior players will be announced in April 13,” he added.
The BAI president also said the money acquired from the sponsorship will be further used in the domestic circuit.
Domestic circuit
“We will use the money in the domestic circuit by increasing the prize money of some of tournaments like Indian Open and national championship so that it motivates the young players,” he said.
The glittering function was also attended by the Thomas and Uber Cup teams, including Chetan Anand, Arvind Bhat, Jwala Gutta, V Diju, P Kashyap, Trupti Murgunde, Sayali Gokhale and Rupesh Kumar.