IOA condoles the death of BAI president Akhilesh Das Gupta

April 12, 2017, New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association, suffered a huge loss in terms of Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta who passed away today due to heart attack. He was servicing as the vice president of the Indian Olympic Association and was also the president of Badminton Association of India.

He was also the president of Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association. He contributed a lot to the sport of badminton while serving as the chairman of the Premier Badminton League, the vice president of the Badminton Asia Confederation and was also a part of the Executive Council of Badminton World Federation.  

Rajeev Mehta, secretary general, IOA, spoke on his demise, “It is an extremely saddening day for us. On behalf of IOA family I send out my condolences to his family; may God be with them during this extremely difficult time. Dr. Gupta was a man of huge caliber, his contribution to the sport of Badminton has been commendable. While serving as the vice president of the IOA, he contributed towards the growth of sports in our country.”

IOA release

Now, Indian Badminton League is Premier Badminton League

New Delhi, December 3, 2015: In view of taking the scale of Badminton League to another level, BAI Organising Committee has decided to rechristen Indian Badminton League (IBL) as Premier Badminton League (PBL). The League which is scheduled for Jan 2 -17, 2016 is slated to be the largest ever Badminton Tournament slated to bring some of the most noted names in the field of the sport together.

The decision to give a new name to the event was taken after much deliberation and keeping in mind that the committee aims to take the tournament to global level in the years to come. The name also brings much premiumness to the Tournament and raises the bar for all the participants. PBL will also ensure that the League is no more associated with any country and it takes a global platform.

“It was a well thought out decision to change the name of the event at this stage,” Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta, President, BAI said. “We want to see Premier Badminton League take global stage with more traction from all the stakeholders. We aim to make PBL the most sought after tournament in the world of badminton,” he added.

Most badminton associations across the world have already consented to send their players for the coveted tournament despite this being the Olympic year. This reflects the seriousness with which the associations and players themselves have taken the tourney.

The rousing action will kick-start on 2nd January, 2016 in Mumbai with an extravagant Opening Ceremony and the Grand Finale will take place here in Delhi on 17th January, 2016. While Indian badminton players are engraving their names across the world, the Premier Badminton League will bring together India’s top badminton players along with international players on the same platform wherein they will showcase high-class action in front of the sports loving citizens of India.

BAI release

Bihar’s KN Jaiswal in IBL Governing Council

Patna, December 2, 2015: Bihar Badminton Association secretary and Badminton Association of India (game development secretary) KN Jaiswal has been included in the governing council of the Indian Badminton League to be held in different cities of India from January 2 to 17.

The opening function of the IBL will be held in Mumbai on January 2 while the final will be held in Delhi on January 17. Semifinal matches will be held in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

Governing Council: Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta, Ashok Singh, Jagdambika Pal, KC P Chaudhary, KN Jaiswal, Mahesh Gupta, MN Siddiqui, Dr Navneet Sehgal, P Gopichand, Pradeep Gandhi , Dr Vijay Sinha, Vikram Dhar and Vimal Kumar. 

BAI announces cash award of Rs 10 lakh for PV Sindhu

New Delhi, November 30, 2015: Indian badminton witnessed yet another memorable occasion as World No.12  PV Sindhu went on to register her third consecutive win of the women’s singles title of the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold as she successfully defended the Champion’s tag. Congratulating the young player on her momentous victory, Badminton Association of India has announced a cash price of Rs. 10,00,000/-.

Speaking on the announcement, Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta, President, Badminton Association of India said, “She has yet again made us proud because of her play and determination to prove herself on the International platform. We were confident that she will retain the title and she has stood up to our expectations from her as a player who has a bright future ahead. We at Badminton Association of India are proud of her and wish her to win more such tournaments in the future”.

Playing her finale clash against World No. 6 Japan's Minatsu Mitani, Sindhu gave a brave fight to her opponent as she went on to win the match 21-9, 21-23, 21-14. It was the Indian who dominated the entire proceedings, keeping her opponent on the back-foot and not allowing a single opportunity to her to bounce back in the all important clash.

BAI release

BAI and GoSports Foundation to host coach education programme

Bangalore, February 20, 2013: In a first-of-its-kind coach education programme for badminton in the country, the Badminton Association of India, in partnership with the GoSports Foundation, has announced an Intermediate Level Coach Education Programme.

Scheduled to be held at the state-of-the-art Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, between March 23 and 30, 2013, the programme is open to a maximum of 30 Indian badminton coaches with a minimum of two years' coaching experience who have either played badminton at the national/international level or hold an NIS-SAI diploma.

The seven-day course, designed to encompass various aspects of badminton coaching, will also include information on the technical nuances of the game. The trainee coaches will be exposed to intricacies of sport medicine, sports nutrition, sports psychology and conditioning. The technical aspects of badminton will be administered by BWF technical expert Venugopal Mahalingam, National Coach Pullela Gopichand, Indonesian coach Edwin and other senior Indian coaches. Other experts involved with conducting the programme include conditioning expert Jagmohan Singh, sports medicine expert Dr. Ashok Ahuja, nutrition expert Mr. Venkatraman, sports psychologists Dr. Asis Goswami and Dr. Sanjeev Sahni and Physiotherapist Dr. Kiran. On successful completion of the course, the selected coaches will be accredited with the BAI for conduct of National Development Programmes/National Coaching Camps. 

In a unique model of alliance between a private foundation and a sporting federation, GoSports Foundation is responsible for the implementation and execution of the programme, while the BAI is overseeing the training modules and assessment of all coaches completing the programme.

"It is encouraging to see that a private foundation, such as the GoSports Foundation, is forthcoming in offering their expertise and assistance to the development of the sport and its coaches. It is partnerships such as these that will provide the necessary and solid foundation for the holistic development of badminton in the country," said Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta, Course Chairman and President, BAI. "This course will enable the competent badminton coaches to be equipped with training method and updated knowledge of sports sciences. Which will go a long way in improving the standard of Indian badminton players at all levels," said Mr. T.P.S. Puri, Course Director and Vice President, BAI.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Nandan Kamath, Managing Trustee at the GoSports Foundation, said, "Having aided the development of junior talent since 2008, we have noticed that the need of the hour in the country is the professional identification and nurturing of high potential talent available in a given sport. This is a task that, we believe, can be fulfilled through the implementation and development of a potent coaching infrastructure in the country and through capacity building amongst those developing our junior talent."

Press release