Nagpur/Kozhikode, July 1: The Indian Badminton Confederation (IBC) has chalked out its tournament schedule and is likely to release it before Saturday. Disclosing this today, the IBC secretary SS Mani added that the organisation ``is in no hurry'' to react to the open letters issued by the former and present presidents of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), Fazil Ahmed and VK Verma, yesterday.

The IBC secretary conveyed on telephone from Bangalore that the IBC takes its decisions collectively. ``We will take into consideration the views of all our affiliated units and players before arriving at a decision,'' he said. The IBC secretary ruled out the possibility of a merger with the BAI but categorically stated that any decision would be taken at the body's meeting where representatives of affiliated units, players and members of the IBC would deliberate on the issue. He said the meeting is likely to be held after July 20.

KERALA CRISIS: Meanwhile, BAI senior vice-president and secretary of Kerala State Badminton Association Muralidharan looks to have received a jolt in his home ground, where, according to Mani, 11 of the 14 districts have shifted their allegiance to the IBC. ``We had seven districts with us when we formed IBC, and four more have joined us now,'' Mani said.However, Muralidharan stressed that there was no crisis in the BAI. He said the state body had no objection to the Kerala shuttlers forming a player's asociation. ``We welcome the move,'' he said.

When asked about the possibility of the players taking part in IBC tournaments, he emphasised that all registered players will be allowed to play only in tournaments authorised by the BAI and the state association.Muralidharan said former international Vimal Kumar's comments that the state association had done little for the players was ``unhealthy and unnecessary''.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.