Azharuddin's new innings: President of Delhi Badminton Association

Former India cricket skipper and Congress MP Mohammad Azharuddin has become the president of the Delhi Badminton Association (DBA). He will be joined in the association by KD Singh, a Trinamool Congress MP, who takes over as the chairman. Singh was in the news recently when Alchemist Infra Reality, a part of his Alchemist group, was barred by Sebi from raising money from investors. They also ordered the company to wind up its collective investment schemes and refund money collected to investors. According to sources, Azhar’s entry into the association is a result of internal politics in the Badminton Association of India (BAI). [caption id=“attachment_952371” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  According to sources, Azhar’s entry into the association is a result of Badminton Association of India politics. AP[/caption] The BAI have allowed another association - Delhi City Badminton Association - to be floated, thereby permitting the existence of two associations for the same city. The Sports Ministry has also asked BAI to explain their stand. DBA hope that Azhar’s presence gives them some political clout in their battle against DCBA. In the past, Azhar had considered taking on VK Verma for the post of president of the BAI. He had subsequently backed down when he found that he didn’t have enough backing. At that point, you could challenge for the post of the president without being part of any association. Since then the rules have changed. To now contest in the BAI elections, you need to be part of an association. Azhar’s entry into the DBA maybe part of a larger plan but that remains to be seen.