Panaji (Goa) [India], April 3 (ANI): Himanta Biswa Sarma has been elected as the President of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) for the next four years after winning the election during the federation’s annual general body meeting in Goa.
Sarma, who is Cabinet ranked Minister and convener of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), had taken over as the interim President of BAI last year after the demise of former president Akhilesh Das Gupta and was elected to the hot seat unopposed.
Meanwhile, former Tamil Nadu Badminton Association president and former Union minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss was elected as the treasurer uncontested. Ramadoss is currently a sitting Lok Sabha MP from Dharmapuri constituency.
Ajay Singhania of Haryana Badminton Association beat KK Sharma of Rajasthan Badminton Association and former secretary of Rajasthan Cricket Association to the post of General Secretary.
Sarma congratulated all the office-bearers and vowed to do everything in his power to take India to the pinnacle of the world of badminton.
“I would like to congratulate all the elected members and I am sure that everyone will fulfill their responsibilities to the best of their capacity. Indian badminton has been at an all-time high and we as a federation will strive to take it forward and make Indian badminton to the top of the pedestal,” the President said after the election.
“I would also like to bring it to everyone’s notice that I along with the entire office-bearers will be working in complete transparent manner and will work to make the Association (BAI) the most professional NSF in the country,” Sarma added.
Retired Chief Justice of High Courts Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim, Aftab Hussain Saikia was the returning officer and the electoral process was held under his watchful eyes.
A total of 61 votes were cast by the 31 member affiliates with each state casting two votes except for Telangana which is on a provisional affiliation. Pondicherry Badminton Association was barred from voting as they currently stand as a defunct body.
Maharashtra Badminton Association President, Arun Lakhani, was elected unopposed as the Senior Vice-President. Omar Rashid, Secretary of Assam Badminton Association was elected as the Secretary (events) unopposed.
A total of 42 posts were up for grabs including the position of President, Senior Vice-President, 12 Vice Presidents, three Secretaries, eight Joint Secretaries and 16 Executive Committee members. All the executive committee members were elected unanimously too. (ANI)
