The High Court of Karnataka has directed the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to frame guidelines for acceptance of application and sanctioning of tournaments, in consultation with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
While refusing to accept the BAI’s contention that there is no provision in its bylaw for receiving applications from private entities for sanctioning tournaments, the court pointed out that the regulations of the BWF contain the provision for consideration of applications for organising tournaments by the entities.
Justice R. Devdas issued the direction while disposing of the petitions filed by Bitsport Pvt. Ltd., the promoter of Grand Prix Badminton League, and a few badminton coaches and umpires. The petitioners had questioned the action of the BAI in refusing to allow the league and warning the players and coaches, who are members of the BAI, from participating in the “unsanctioned” league.
