Ali Thameem
Revival Sports Club has sought arbitration from the World Badminton Federation (WBF) over being discriminated against by the Badminton Association of Maldives.
As one of the prominent badminton clubs in The Maldives, Revival Sports Club has regularly participated in tournaments organized by BAM, and players from the club have frequently represented Maldives in international tournaments.
The badminton association has however decided to ostracize the club from the BAM’s extraordinary congress, revoking their voting rights in the upcoming election.
In a letter addressed to Thomas Lund, the General Secretary of the WBF, Revival Sports Club has raised concerns about the discriminatory behaviour of BAM.
BAM defended its decision to bar the club from voting, claiming Revival Sports Club had not participated in its tournaments.
According to Revival SC, BAM’s grounds for such a claim are baseless, given that the club had met the requirements for membership.
“..Associate members [clubs] who have been active in the preceding two years are (also) eligible to vote in the association’s extraordinary congress”
AoA of Badminton Association of Maldives, Article 32(g)“Clubs with an annual participation rate of 75 percent in club tournaments are eligible to vote in the association’s extraordinary congress”
AoA of Badminton Association of Maldives, Article 12(I)
The club had previously addressed the matter via a letter to the BAM, adding that Revival SC makes the annual membership payment of MVR 18,000/- to BAM, and the club makes all other payments, including the court bookings, on time.
Revival SC won several accolades, including the men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles in the National Badminton Tournament held last year.
Revival SC has also alleged the BAM’s electoral process as a means for the incumbent president to extend his tenure, accusing the association of inviting members who would vote in favour of him and revoking the rights of those who may not.
The Badminton Association of Maldives has recently been under scrutiny for certain clauses in its Article of Association, including a clause that allows disproportionate voting power for Badminton Development Centers. The Sports Commissioner has thus ordered BAM to amend its Article of Association before holding its elections.
