Barely four days before the BAI elections, Badminton's long-serving boss V K Verma today set himself on a collision course with the government by rejecting its financial support and guidelines, saying the body was self-sufficient to run the game in the country.

"BAI doesn't need to follow the government guidelines because like BCCI we are financially self-sufficient and we can run the international calender without taking a single rupee from the government in future," Verma told PTI from London.

"By astute marketing we have lined up sponsorships to the amount of five to six crores and we are self sufficient," he added.

Verma, however, said it wants to maintain a good relation with the government, like the BCCI, but don't want any further interference.

"We want to maintain a good relation with the government like the BCCI which is also self-sufficient. Government guidelines are for the national federations which need government funding, so it is not applicable to us," Verma said.

At loggerheads with the Ministry over its upcoming elections, BAI has become the first National Sports Federation after the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to claim financial self-sufficiency and refuse government aid.

The Sports Ministry had written a letter to Verma yesterday dismissing BAI's claim that it is self-sufficient and also quoted figures over the last few financial years to explain its stand.

Verma, however, said the amount that has been quoted by joint secretary (Sports) Injeti Srinivas were mostly spent on the players and their training and not for the BAI.

"Most of the amount that Srinivas has quoted are spent on travel of Indian players, for their shuttle cock which are given to the camp and for the boarding and lodging of the national players under the SAI.

"BAI gets Rs two lakhs for senior nationals championship, whereas we spent 50 lakhs, four lakhs for the national junior, where BAI spend 60 lakhs and Rs six lakhs for sub-junior where we spent around 50 lakhs," he claimed.

Verma said he has already received letters from 23 out of 28 state units who has registered their protest against the candidature of tainted former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin for the President's post.

"Till now I have received letters from 23 out of 28 state units questioning if Azharuddin, who is serving a life ban, can be eligible to contest the elections. We will put to vote his candidature in the AGM on June 13.

"The BWF constitution clearly mentions high integrity as a pre-requisite for players and administrators," he added.

BAI's opposition notwithstanding, the Ministry had yesterday appointed Director (Sports) Deepika Kachhal as the observer for the AGM threatening the body with de-recognition in case of non-compliance with government regulations.

The entire drama started after former captain Azharuddin announced his candidature for the BAI President's post in the upcoming elections.

Relate report:

BAI should exercise caution, feel former players

Apprehensive of the outcome of the ongoing stand-off between Badminton Association of India and the Sports Ministry, some of the former players today asked BAI to exercise caution and make sure that the shuttlers are not victimised.

BAI and Sports Ministry are engaged in a tug-of-war over the appointment of a government observer at BAI's June 13 elections in Chennai and the former players advised the federation to mind its steps as it takes on the Ministry.

"Whatever decision the BAI takes should be in the interest of badminton and the players. Players should not be victimised or made to suffer. Indian badminton is doing well of late and we are very hopeful of better performance from the players," said former doubles specialist Leroy D'Sa.

At loggerheads with the Ministry over its upcoming elections, BAI has become the first National Sports Federation after the Indian cricket board to claim financial self-sufficiency and refuse government aid.

"We are self sufficient. We do not need any funds from the government in future. We have lined up a lot of sponsors," BAI President V K Verma, who has been in office for the past 12 years, told PTI from London.

Vimal Kumar, a former national singles champion who is now into coaching at Bangalore, lauded the decision of BAI not to depend on government fund but at the same time requested the sports body to exercise caution in dealing with the Sports Ministry.

"I feel BAI should not totally reject the government's guidelines which may affect a small proportion of performing sports administrators as well as a majority of non-performers.

I feel they should take the government along. We need the government's support," he said.