Verma ineligible to fight for BAI top post: Azhar

NEW DELHI: Projected as an outsider by the ruling camp, cricketer-turned-politician Mohammed Azharuddin on Thursday fired a salvo at Badminton Association of India president VK Verma, saying the BAI chief is not eligible for re-election and should gracefully walk away having played a "long innings".



Azhar referred to the Sports Ministry guidelines which fix the terms of a National Sports Federation president to 12 years and said it's time to go for Verma, having been at BAI's helm for as many years.



"Verma has not challenged the validity of the Government guidelines in any court of law and, as such, is bound by the same and ineligible for a re-election," Azhar said from Hyderabad.



"The government guidelines are binding on all. Even an Indian Olympic Association resolution (rejecting the guidelines) cannot nullify it. It is binding on every federation. Having been a government official himself, Verma should have known it better," Azhar said.



The Ministry guideline in question has the sports administrators up in arms, claiming it an infringement of their autonomy and the issue has now snowballed into a crisis with the International Olympic Committee set to discuss it later this month.



Verma not only refused to entertain a Government observer for the election but also claimed that BAI had become self-sufficient and would no more require government funding.



In such a backdrop, Sunday's BAI election in Chennai assumes even more importance and the involvement of Azhar, a former Indian cricket captain and a Congress MP from Moradabad, rendered it quite a high-profile poll for a rather low-profile federation.



The ruling camp questioned Azhar's eligibility to fight in the BAI election and doesn't even consider him a serious threat either but the former cricketer, working overtime to canvass support, promised to spring a surprise on Sunday.



"I can tell you that 30 out of the 35 voting units are aggrieved by Verma's action in his open defiance against the Government of India," said Azhar, whose seriousness to contest the election could be gauged from the fact that he cut short a parliamentary delegation's trip to Europe to return home and muster votes.



"Contrary to what others are saying, I'm optimistic about my prospects. I never harbour negative thoughts. I'm essentially a sportsman and I want to do something for badminton. I have no vested interest in BAI and all I want is to encourage the youth, do something for the youth. I don't know why people should have problems with a sportsperson wanting to join sports administrations.



"Come on, I have played cricket at the highest level and have a fair idea of international sports. People don't want me in because they have seats to cling on to.



"Verma had a long innings, he should be happy with that and move on. I don't think anyone can break his record," Azhar quipped.



One of country's most successful cricket captains and one of the most elegant batsmen of his era, Azhar also questioned Verma's decision not to take government fund.



"I don't believe this self-sufficient thing. The government has been funding all their trips for so many years and now all of a sudden he says BAI doesn't want government money.



"Even the Olympic Charter says federations should work in harmony with the government but here the BAI President is taking on the government. I don't know how federations would survive without government support," he said.



"I want to make it clear that I have nothing personal against anyone and all I want is to do something for badminton," he said.



Asked if he was finding it a tougher battle than winning the Lok Sabha seat from Moradabad, a philosophical Azhar said, "Everything is tough, nothing comes easy in life. You have to fight your way out and I'm doing that."



TOI

I will not disappoint the selectors: Tiwary

JAMSHEDPUR: Eagerly looking forward to making his debut for India, batsman Saurabh Tiwary, who has been picked for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, says just getting selected in the 15-man squad is "like a dream come true."

The flamboyant middle-order southpaw who replaces hard-hitter Yuvraj Singh, was well aware that he would have to perform in the tournament to prove his mettle and cement his place in the national squad.

"Obviously, there will be pressure on me and I am confident I will not disappoint the selectors, who have put faith in me", he said.

Tiwary, the second player in the national squad from Jharkhand after India captain MS Dhoni, was felicitated by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) on his arrival on Wednesday night.

Tiwary, Jharkhand Ranji captain, said his consistent performance in IPL 3 drew the attention of the selectors, and added that he was also expecting a call for the tri-series held in Zimbabwe recently on the basis of his IPL performance.

Tiwary scored 419 runs for the Mumbai Indians in the last edition of IPL. Replying to a poser, Tiwary said statemate Dhoni is "a great cricketer" and he did not wish to be compared to him.

Earlier, Tiwary, accompanied by JSCA president Amitabh Choudhury, arrived at Keenan Stadium late in the evening. Sunil Tiwary, the cricketer's father, was also feliciated.

Tears rolled down Tiwary's eyes when he spotted his mentor Kajal Das, a former Coach of Jharkhand Ranji team and himself a hard-hitter in the state Ranji Trophy team.

Speaking on the occasion, Choudhury expressed confidence that Tiwary would earn laurels for the state as well as the country like Dhoni.

Later, Tiwary visited Tata Main Hospital to meet his friend, who sustained an injury in a road accident near Chandil.

Meanwhile, a large-number of cricket fans braved the rains and waited at the stadium to get a glimpse of Tiwary.

TOI

Amin to play with Tendulkar's bat on debu

LAHORE: Pakistan's rookie batsman Umar Amin is hoping to make a successful debut for his country at the upcoming Asia Cup by playing with a bat which belongs to iconic Indian Sachin Tendulkar.

The bat was gifted to 20-year old Amin by paceman Shoaib Akhtar after doing well in a domestic match last year.

"I got the bat for scoring a match winning innings in a domestic game and I still have it with me it is a treasured possession for me. I intend to make my debut for Pakistan with that bat," Amin, who plays for Rawalpindi, said.

The youngster has been a prolific scorer in domestic cricket and has also done well for the Pakistan under-19 and A teams. He recently scored a hundred against the England Lions team in the UAE.

Amin said being selected for Pakistan senior team was a dream come true and he was keen to make the most of this opportunity.

"It was a great occasion for me, my family and my friends when we learnt about my selection. But now the real test is to make my presence felt if I get a chance to play in the tournament," he said.

Amin said he was familiar with the Sri Lankan conditions having toured there with Pakistan's second string side.

Umar, who averages over 42 in first class cricket, was playing a T20 club match in his hometown of Rawalpindi when he heard of his selection in the squad.

"My mother called me up and told me that I have been selected in the Asia Cup Squad."

Amin said he was excited at the prospect of facing top international bowlers particularly spinners.

"It will be a challenge and I want to prove that I am ready for international cricket," he said.