Bengaluru, Nov 8 (FN Bureau) The Karnataka High Court recently asked Badminton Association of India (BAI) to frame guidelines to enable tournaments like Grand Prix Badminton League (GPBL) by other entities for registered players or coaches. The Court also directed the BAI to formulate the guidelines and publish it as expeditiously as possible within six months. Rejecting the BAI’s plea, Justice R Devdas observed that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulations do not cast a blanket restriction on the consideration of tournaments by other entities. In its plea, BAI had argued that there was no provision to receive applications from other entities or to sanction such tournaments as GPBL. But, Justice R Devdas observed that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulations do not cast a blanket restriction on the consideration of tournaments by other entities. “The very fact that provision is made for receiving applications, albeit through the member Association, it would very clearly show that a window is kept open for interested members/other entities to seek permission/sanction to conduct tournaments enlisting participation of the registered Players/Coaches/Technical Staff,” the Court observed.
Justice Devdas also observed that the BWF regulations were carefully worded to enable the participation of the top-ranked players in BWF-conducted and sanctioned tournaments. He further stated that other players cannot be prevented from participating in tournaments other than the ones recognised and organised by the BWF or its member associations. “That is the reason why provision is made in the regulations of the BWF for making applications and seeking sanction for tournaments,” he said. Justice Devdas also ordered the BAI to formulate guidelines for acceptance of application and sanctioning of tournaments, in consultation with the apex governing body viz, the BWF. The Court was hearing a case concerning the right of the sportspersons to participate in a tournament held by an entity, in this case the Bitsport Private Limited, that is not recognised by the BWF at the global level.
Earlier, the Court had stayed the circulars issued by the BAI warning badminton players, coaches and technical staff registered with it against participating in ‘unrecognised’ tournaments. However, the order was set aside by the Supreme Court in August. Representing the promoter of GPBL and a coach were senior advocate Udaya Holla, and Srinivasan Raghavan with advocates Lomesh Kiran, Twinkle J Chadwa, Rachita Shah and L Srinivas. Advocate Unnikrishnan M and M Pradeep represented the Union of India. Senior Advocates Prof Ravivarma Kumar and Vivek Subba Reddy with Advocates KN Subba Reddy and HV Manjunath represented the Badminton Association of India.