The proverbial Sword of Damocles was left hanging over the much maligned Orissa State Badminton Association (OSBA) as the inquiry reports of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) and the Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) dubbed the State governing body and its top office-bearers as guilty and autocratic.
BAI and OOA constituted respective committees to enquire into the wrongdoings of the OSBA, alleged by players, guardians and other stakeholders, and in pursuance of the directions issued by the office of the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Odisha, through the Department of Sports & Youth Services (DSYS).
In a two-page letter to OSBA secretary Nileen Kumar, BAI reprimanded him for his autocratic manner of functioning. “It is our considered opinion that you are working in an autocratic manner and you are not following the rules and regulations of BAI, and players are suffering, which is not appreciable and acceptable,” wrote BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra yesterday.
BAI also asked Kumar to rectify the all the lacunas within 10 days and confirm his reply in writing so that sufferings of players and other related persons are stopped forthwith. “Otherwise the matter will be placed before the disciplinary committee,’’ BAI warned Kumar in the letter.
OOA was more comprehensive in its inquiry report, which was sent to the DSYS yesterday. OOA secretary Avijit Paul lamented that the secretary and treasurer did not cooperate in the investigation. The report featured several instances of administrative and financial irregularities in OSBA. Describing OSBA as incapable of promoting badminton in Odisha, OOA recommended that the erring state body be derecognized immediately and the existing office-bearers be placed under suspension.
OOA also recommended for an immediate conduct of a comprehensive forensic audit of the financial transactions of the OSBA and initiation of legal proceedings for any violation. As a remedial measure, OOA recommended the formation of an ad-hoc committee for the purpose of preparing a new constitution and conducting fresh elections, involving all district units.
MAJOR FINDINGS OF BAI GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE:
* OSBA general secretary Nileen Kumar working in an autocratic manner and not following the guidelines of BAI.
* Players, parents, coaches and technical officials are being harassed by OSBA, in terms of creating BAI and BWF IDs.
* Conducting U-15 & U-19 tournaments in one venue and U-17 tournament in another venue, affecting players’ careers.
* Society Registration certificate of OSBA is not valid as per RTI reply.
* OSBA has only 11 district affiliated units, instead of at least 50 per cent of total districts as per Govt norms.
* Burdening the players by forcing them to participate in four ranking tournaments and one state championship and making them prone to injury.
* Unjustly suspending a guardian of a minor female player for two years.
MAJOR FINDINGS OF OOA ENQUIRY COMMITTEE:
* Wilful non-cooperation and lack of transparency and accountability in administration.
* Arbitrary disciplinary action against players and stakeholders.
* Denying opportunity to players to participate in All India Open Tournaments.
* Suspension of four male players till 31-3-27 without giving opportunity to defend themselves.
* OSBA is functioning without verifiable registrable number and receiving funds from Govt and BAI without established legal status.
* OSBA president, a serving IAS officer, has not submitted NOC from govt before contesting elections.
* Lack of transparency, accountability in financial transactions (Diversion of funds through third-party entities such as iCore pioneer business solutions and private bank accounts of OSBA office-bearers and coordinators).
* Converting badminton into a fund-raising activity by collection of high registration, renewal and entry fees for open tournaments, and additional costs from guardians.
* Conducting elections without at least 50% affiliated district units.
* Sale of left-over Yonex shuttles meant for tournaments at Rs 4,000 per barrel and money personally pocketed.
* Arbitrary collection of annual fee of Rs 12,000 from district units.
* Not implementing a unanimous decision of OSBA and OOA to amend the constitution and give affiliation to all district units.
* De-affiliation of three district units without prior notice or opportunity for hearing.
* Unconstitutional appointment of district coordinators without elections.
* Suspension of players including Samrudhi Biswal, Jayesh Agrawal and Gitashree Dey without following due process.
* Unauthorised collection and diversion of funds.
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PHOTO: File picture of OSBA president Rajesh Prabhakar Patil (Right) and general secretary Nileen Kumar discussing at the annual general meeting in Bhubaneswar on 29 June 2025. (Courtesy -- OSBA)