Azharuddin's claims that MiD DAY story was planted, is 'baseless' say Badminton Association of India officials

BAI officials rubbish 'lying' Azhar's claims

Azharuddin's claims that MiD DAY story was planted, is 'baseless' say Badminton Association of India officialsu00a0

Au00a0day after former cricketer-turned MP from Moradabad Mohammad Azharuddin claimed that the alleged affair between him and 26-year-old shuttler Jwala Gutta is an effort by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to malign him, BAI officials have rubbished his allegations.

MiD DAY had broken the story of Azhar's impending divorce from wife Sangeeta Bijlani on account of his closeness to Gutta, on Friday. Both parties had denied the reports.

"Azhar is lying," said a top BAI official. "Whatever is happening is a family problem. We are only concerned about Jwala's game."

The official adds that the Federation had no idea that Azhar was planning to contest the elections. "We came to know about it through the media. He never submitted his nominations, never contested, and we never saw him, so how can he make these claims?"

BAI president VK Verma also rubbished the allegations levelled at the federation. "BAI does not have any time for this. We don't interfere in anybody's private life," he said.

Even though Azhar showed interest in contesting the BAI elections, he didn't turn up for the Annual General Meeting in Chennai, neither did he file his nomination papers. The board members were left with no choice but to nominate Verma for yet another term. In fact, Azhar had gone to the Rangareddy district court to stay the elections, but the court had dismissed it on grounds that the appeal had "no merit".

According to the BAI constitution, even those individuals who are not members, are allowed to contest for the President's post, as long as their names are proposed. It was also rumoured that Azhar's bid to head the BAI was backed by the Ministry of Sports.