BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma elected to BWF Council

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Himanta Biswa Sarma was on Saturday elected to the BWF council for the period 2021-25.

Sarma, who is also the Vice President of Badminton Asia, got 236 votes in his favour as the 20 council members were elected from 31 contestants at the virtual AGM and Council election of Badminton World Federation (BWF).

“I am thankful to all the member nations for voting in my favour and I take this opportunity to congratulate the BWF President as well as my fellow Council Members on their appointment,” Sarma said after his election.

“It is my aim to take Indian badminton to the highest level globally and to establish the country as the badminton powerhouse,” he added.

BWF President Paul-Erik Hoyer was re-elected unopposed, so were Deputy President Khunying Patama of Thailand and Vice President Paul Kurzo of Switzerland.

BAI was represented by President Sarma and Adviser VK Verma along with General Secretary Ajay K Singhania and Omar Rashid as observers during the meeting.