PBF Demand Funds For CW Looks Unjustified

“Nationwide rumors are circulating as Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) the national governing body to control national sports federations has stopped badminton contingent to take part in Commonwealth Games at Birmingham 2022” is not feel as the matter is socializing. It is very much clear that PSB has already informed on 7^th January 2022 to Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) well before the shuttler’s trials for CWG taken in May 2022 that PBF did not follow sports board’s SOP’s regarding to conduct it’s election which PBF did in December 2021, consequently the current badminton federation is not a recognized body of Pakistan Sports Board. Nothing more than this in the letter. In these circumstances the current PBF does not possess any right to request PSB for the expenditure against the tour to CW Games 2022 while it looks that PSB has no objection if the PBF support its shuttlers and participant in the prestigious event at federation’s expenses. On the other hand, it looks parodical if PBF is not following any instructions or rules and regulations of Pakistan Sports Board then in what sense this federation is requesting for grant about CW Games while other sports federations are acting upon accordingly? Hence their athlete will not suffer. Badminton World Federation (BWF) always supports it’s Member Associations in all respect to develop the badminton and to help the shuttlers in their countries and support financially direct and indirect (through continental federations) as a regular part of it’s grant program. So, Pakistan Badminton Federation is not helpless and should have sufficient funds in this regard as no development program is seen since long. It is known as per approval of the Badminton World Federation Council meeting in October 2019, BWF has been distributed US$ 520,000 in May 2022 to it’s 104 Member Associations for long term development projects in their countries. PBF is definitely be one them underdeveloping country to received it’s share accordingly which is more than enough to spend on it’s shuttlers. Further the international governing body (BWF) also announced that eligible Member Associations may receive a support of up to US$ 5,000 per year through BWF Membership Grants Program until 2024 which can be used to support a series of developing areas identified by the BWF. In addition, BWF may offer and additional support grant to a small number of Member Associations these can be selected on the base of identified strategic, commercial or market growth properties and opportunities. This shows how eager the world federation (BWF) is in the developing the game at globe. The relevant continental federation’s financial, sports gear and shuttlecocks is not included here which PBF has been receiving as Wajid Ali Ch is currently heading national federation. Now look at a glance in lieu of the best financial position of PBF, there are many questions arose which national badminton community has about badminton development in Pakistan that what is the seven year’s performance of Wajid Ali and it’s so-called team, only one international tour? where players are hostage by them and can’t participate in city level tournaments without their permission. For international tournaments the enthusiastic shuttlers can take part on self-finance base. It is also known that Mahoor the first Olympian, have been paid for more than a dozen of her international tours so far. On the other hand, despite of keeping the best performance male players are helpless in this regard as can’t afford. Where the international player’s development grant gone?  

In 2019 a group male and female players toured to Malaysia on self-finance base for one month Badminton Asian Training Camp and amazingly no one was allowed to join the camp by the authorities because of their poor standard then why they were sent? These players remained there for one month enjoying free food and accommodation provided by the camp organizers which was a great loss of players and the camp committee providing free facilities for nothing developing. We can’t understand self-finance tours for the promotion of the sports. PSB must ban on such federations who are not capable to hold an office for the progress of sports in the country. You can purchase Yonex AS-30 shuttlecocks on low price underhand by the federation staff a player told. (That may be received in BAC sports gears grant) Everyone knows that in 2017 when Srilankan coach, Sambenthan Sivaperumal arrived in Pakistan to conduct BWF level course then PBF arranged a local school’s children camp using the name of BWF project “Shuttle Time” too. Coach Sam, gave 50 Yonex badminton rackets for them but none of the children received the BAC gift where some are sold on the shop of local (Rawalpindi) coach while some are sold by PBF Lahori Coach. A few are gifted to the children of dignities, what a criterion of PBF distribution? It is important to mention that there are nine active badminton clubs in Islamabad where a lot of junior players play badminton then why a local school’s children are invited?

  It was also reported at that time that famous chief coach of PBF was found to sell BWF certificate in PKR 20,000/- to a businessman in Rawalpindi he was purchasing for his son but expensive deal did not proceed. That is why the value of the Certificates of International authority BWF has consider no value as many coaches are not able to speak, write or understand English properly. Unfortunately, these PBF favorite BWF Level-1 or 2 certificate holder coaches are always under criticism of social media. BWF should think in this coach education program for future.

  Now it is advised to PBF to change it enjoying habits, stop malpractice and spend something for the betterment of the players under the guidelines of badminton World Federation. PBF can utilized BWF grant received recently and send the players to prestigious CW Games 2022 regardless the player’s performance as you did nothing for their betterment but they are the best in the country.