BAI unveils Rs 7.5 crore deal with Premier Brands

New Delhi: Badminton Association of India announced a three-year sponsorship deal worth Rs 7.5 crore with Premier Brands here and said the entire money would be used for the benefit of the shuttlers.

BAI president VK Verma unveiled the deal and also introduced a new model of financial governance to ensure transparency so that the money is channelised in the right direction. "The entire receivables from the sponsorship would go directly to the players and BAI will not use any of it for its administrative costs," Verma said."We will have a panel of four distinguished players -- Prakash Padukone, Pullela Gopichand, Dinesh Khanna and Ami Ghia Shah -- to administer the money received from the sponsorship and there will be no interference from the BAI," he said. Ace shuttler Saina, who was felicitated with a silver racquet for winning the Padma Shree award, said it is a big day for Indian badminton."It is a big day for Indian badminton and I am very proud today. I hope this gives us encouragement and support to perform even better. It is very tough to continue playing badminton without financial help and I hope now all the players can focus on the game more," Saina said. Verma said a gradation system will be introduced for the Indian shuttlers and their names will be announced by April 13. PTI