Информация из "Gerald Tribune" -"The days of Deputy President Punch Gunalan ironfist in the BWF is numbered.
Если это будет так, то обязательно будет расследовано
исключение ВФБ из BWF за 300 тысяч долларов для приема НФБР. Скорее всего, без Гуналана у Шахрая весьма призрачные перспективы.
21.06.2007 www.spoilsport.blog.com :
Дни правления Панча Гуналана сочтены
Behind the Scenes in Sports Thursday, June 21, 2007
BE wants an independent inquiry
Badminton Europe wants action to be taken against BWF deputy president Punch Gunalan.
Sportcal, a leading Sports Business site, carried an interview with BE as their headline news.
Brian Agerbak, general secretary of Badminton Europe, today told Sportcal.com that he was awaiting a response from Joong to a request for an independent inquiry to be mounted into the allegations against Punch. There are claims that Punch could have broken the BWF’s by-laws by his actions.
He said: ‘Everyone was shocked that a letter like that existed.’
If Joong does not convene an independent inquiry, Agerbak said that Badminton Europe would file an official complaint to the BWF, adding that allegations involving a senior BWF official ‘cannot be handled internally.’
Agerbak said that he accepted that the two-year old move to Kuala Lumpur could not now be undone, adding that Badminton Europe would accept any solution or sanction proposed by an independent inquiry.
But despite the concern of many, Punch seems to be putting up a brave front. The Herald reported this
But yesterday he dismissed the proceedings without concern. It would require a two-thirds majority to unseat him, and as he pointed out: "They took a vote whether to discuss the matter or not, and even that was defeated 95-87, with a number of abstentions."
Gunalan is being hounded over a letter he wrote suggesting it would be appropriate for Malaysia to bid for the global headquarters of the sport in 2004. "I simply wrote to the president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, saying it would be a good thing for us to do. There is nothing wrong in that," he told The Herald.
However, under the headline: Internal Dirt revealed in Glasgow, the Malaysian newspaper Berita Harian claimed that when the BAM (of which Gunalan is vice president), bid to become the home of the world body, there were promises of $100,000 from Petronas, $150,000 worth of tickets annually from Malaysian Airlines, and a similar sum for the Malaysian Government.
Lets see how this boils over
Posted by Mike at 00:19 | Permanent Link | Comments (1)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
End of Days
The days of Deputy President Punch Gunalan iron fist rule in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is numbered.
Punch came under extreme fire from the delegates at the Annual General Meeting for his role in revealing confidential and critical information in regards to the relocation of the BWF headquarters.
The information enabled Malaysia to outbid several other bidders to relocate the BWF headquarters from Cheltenham to Kuala Lumpur .
The General Body agreed that there was a strong case against the long serving official, but Punch survived immediate censure as the General Body voted by a margin of 87-95 that there was no urgency to discuss the matter at the meeting.
The General Meeting today was perhaps the longest in the Federations history, lasting more than four hours with Punch’s issue debated for more than an hour and half.
Punch’s survival was helped largely by the scores of proxy votes that he himself had collected prior to the meeting. China had proposed for secreta ballot but the proposal was fiercely rejected by Punch's allies including Robin Bryant, Eraj Wijesinghe and Edgar Aglipay.
With the voting being carried out by show of hands, a significant number of delegates chose not exercise their right for fear of repercussions from Punch.
Among those, who were proxies at the meeting were his wife and the wives of several other key allies in the council. Also sitting in as proxy was Mohamed Abdullah of Malaysia .
Mohamed, who came to Glasgow as the team manager of the Malaysian team, is also the secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association of which Punch himself is the president.
Another proxy who supported Punch was S. Mohan, a former employee of the BAC, during which Punch was the BAC Secretary. The current BAC secretary Karen Koh was also in support of Punch. (Karen is a long time ally of Punch having started wor
with the latter at the BAM)
While many of the top badminton nations including China, Japan, Denmark and Malaysia supported the vote to discuss the matter at the general meeting, Punch’s support came mostly South Asian, South American and African nations.
Punch at no point of time denied writing the letter revealing the critical information but only said that letter was written a long time ago. The incriminating letter was written in June 2004.
Many delegates demanded that an independent inquiry be held to look into the matter, Punch himself was a picture of silence. He was shell shocked and never demanded an inquiry be called to clear his name.
It is ironical that Punch initiated the suspension of the BWF COO Ganga Rao citing conflict of interest but himself is now caught by the same issue.
The issues caught Punch and his allies by surprise that their threat to pass a vote of no confidence against the president Dr Kang Young Joong failed to materialise.
Posted by Mike at 06:08 | Permanent Link | Comments (1)
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Breach of Trust
Punch Gunalan, the vice president (now Deputy President or is it Executive Deputy President) of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) continues to be in the center of controversy in the ongoing squabble in the Federation.
The power broker, who together with BAC secretary V.K. Verma, BAC COO Karen Koh, Australian Robin Bryant, Sri Lankan Eraj Wijesinghe and Hong Kong's Tong Wai Lunn is seen to be leading a revolt against the incumbent president Dr Kang Young Joong, is now embroiled in yet another controversy.
The controversy centers around a letter that Punch sent to the Badminton Association of Malaysia in June 2004.
(Read about this scandal in the Malaysian newspaper article today headlined as BWF's Internal Dirt revealed in Glasgow )
http://www.bharian.com.my/m/BHarian/Section/Sport_html?mysec=Sukan
The letter typed on the official International Badminton Federation (now BWF) letterhead and signed by Punch reveals the details of the bids made by several countries in relation to the relocation of the BWF headquarters.
Punch outlined the bid details from Singapore, United Kingdom, USA and Mauritius. He went on to indicate that Denmark were also interested in the bid.
The damning statement in the letter that has now irked many is:
" Since I am able to get all the necessary information regarding the other bids, it is important that our bid is better than any of the others"
Punch is also the vice president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia by virtue of him being the president of a state badminton association, the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association.
(It is also learnt that Punch has now taken a leave of absence from his positions in Malaysia, presumably to disassociate himself from the BAM. One of the reasons that the BWF COO Ganga Rao was suspended was his so called conflict of interest, being the BAM Honorary Secretary)
In the letter, Punch went on to outline that he was meeting up with the Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said to spearhead the bid and that he was also meeting up with the then Malaysian National Sports Council Director General to get his support.
It also mentions that he had met up with the MAS Managing Director and CEO Dato' AHmad Fuaad Mohd Dahlan and MAS were keen to become involed.
Punch also promised to set up an IBF Training Center in Kuala Lumpur as part of the deal and indicated that he already had the financial backers for the Centers.
It is pertinent to note that the BAM bid to host the BWF headquarters included promise of US$ 100,000 from Petronas, US$150,000 worth of tickets per year from MAS for four years, a grant of US$150,000 per year for four years from the Malaysian Government, three bedroom apartments, a car.
Except for the grant from the Malaysian government none of the other promises were fulfilled.
The BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh during a press conference recently had confirmed that the Malaysian bid to relocate the BWF office to Kuala Lumpur was done at the behest of Punch and that all the promises made, including the Petronas and MAS, were made by Punch himself.
Malaysia's bid was approved by the IBF in December 2004 despite objections from various quarters as the late bid from Seoul was seen to be a better choice. The architects of the current crisis in the BWF, were also the key players in bulldozing Malaysia's bid pass the others.
Minutes of the IBF meeting in relation to this is available at
http://badmintoninternational.net/newseditor/data/EGM_Mins1204.pdf
The issue of expected to be raised at the BWF Annual General Meeting in Glasgow today.
Malaysia, which had taken pride in being the proud home of the BWF, may now be at the wrong end of the controversy. The Malaysian Sports Minister, who had earlier directed the Sports Commissioner to investigate into the summary suspension of Ganga as the COO, can be expected to launch another investigation into the current debacle that threatens to drag Malaysia's good name.
With rumours flying about a controversial move of a no-confidence vote against the BWF president, the "missing" delegates nomination forms from at least 20 countries, and the proposed move to lock out the media coupled with the latest revelation on the relocation of the BWF office, is likely to make the BWF AGM the most heated in the past two decades.
Posted by Mike at 14:44 | Permanent Link | Comments (2)
Friday, June 15, 2007
V for Vendetta
Rumours are rife that a group of senior executive board members of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) are planning to seize control of the Federation at its Annual General Meeting scheduled tomorrow in Glasgow by moving a vote of no-confidence against the president Dr Kang Young Joong.
It is learnt that the group had earlier threatened to move the vote if the president does not keep in line with their "views".
The same group of members had earlier this month suspended that the Chief Executive Officer of the BWF and transfered the executive powers to their leader.
Posted by Mike at 18:48 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Sports Ministry to investigate.
Malaysia's Berita Harian has confirmed that the Malaysian Sports Ministry wants to investigate into the suspension of Ganga Rao as the COO of the Badminton World Federation.
It says that the Ministry is concerned that Ganga has been suspended because of internal power struggle and that it would affect the good name of the country.
The Malaysian Government grants a sum of approximately RM500,000 to the BWF yearly since the BWF was relocated to Kuala Lumpur from Cheltenham.
It is also important to note that Ganga was appointed as a member of the powerful Malaysian National Sports Council (NSC) Board of Management by the Sports Minister just a few days before news of his suspension leaked out.
It reported by Berita Harian that the Ministry of Sports has directed the Sports Commissioner to investigate into the matter. Ironically the Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar is a former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president.
http://www.bharian.com.my/m/BHarian/Saturday/Sukan/20070609072027/Article/Sport_html
Posted by Mike at 10:15 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
Friday, June 08, 2007
Senior badminton official vows to fight his suspension from world body
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/08/sports/AS-SPT-BAD-BWF-Suspension.php
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A top Badminton World Federation official says he will fight his surprise suspension, insisting Friday he has done nothing wrong.
P. Ganga Rao, former BWF chief operating officer, said he was surprised to receive the federation's letter informing him of his suspension from the position on Monday evening.
"I will certainly fight for my rights," he told The Association Press Friday. "I definitely don't feel I did anything wrong."
Rao, who is also secretary of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, said he was considering all options including going to court over the issue, but was awaiting his lawyer's advice and the BWF's next move.
"I have come to BWF to help ensure that there is transparency and accountability in whatever we do," he said, adding he would follow all procedures as necessary.
The federation will hold its annual general meeting during the Sudirman Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, next week and will also conduct a domestic inquiry into the cause for the suspension on June 29, Rao said.
Rao declined to specify why he had been suspended. Sources close to the case, who declined to be named, suggested the suspension may have been the result of an internal power struggle.
All BWF executives were in Scotland Friday and could not be reached at the federation's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. BWF deputy president Punch Gunalan, who had hand-picked Rao to become general manager early this year, did not answer a message left on his mobile phone.
Rao, who was promoted from general manager to chief operating officer in March, said he had been barred from the federation's headquarters. He said he was still deciding whether to go to Glasgow at his own expense.
Kenny Goh, general manager of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, said Rao would keep his position at the association.
"This has nothing to with BAM. It's BWF matters," he said. "We have no problem with Mr. Ganga Rao."
Posted by Mike at 23:14 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
No Money No Talk
The Badminton Association of Malaysia president has just confirmed during a press conference that the association was not responsible in bringing the Badminton World Federation (BWF) headquarters to Kuala Lumpur.
He said that the matter was brought up by Punch Gunalan, who had also suured everyone that he had already confirmed the sponsorships from Malaysian petrolium giant Petronas and Malaysia Airlines (MAS).
More damning was his statement that both these sponsors have yet to channel any sponsorship money. This was contray to the claims made by Punch that both the sponsors have already paid the sums promised.
Punch had claimed that Petronas had confirmed a sponsorship of USD 100,00 while MAS USD150,000 per year to ensure the BWF is relocated to Malaysia.
Read about it at in the Malaysian newspaper Berita Harian. It is in the Malay Language. Will upload a translated version soon.
http://www.bharian.com.my/m/BHarian/Friday/Sukan/20070608005741/Article/Sport_html
Posted by Mike at 09:33 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Coup d'etat
It is official, the Deputy President of the BWF has seized power of the BWF, suspending the COO and ta
full executive powers of the federation.
Read the official version on the BWF website
http://www.internationalbadminton.org/newscontent.asp?pageid={5592A31D-64C6-4160-9586-C3229C166907}
Read what the Malaysian newspapers say about it too. Heard there was also coverage on the Malaysian TV channel TV3 on the issue.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Sport/20070607080140/Article/index_html
http://www.bharian.com.my/m/BHarian/Thursday/Sukan/20070607000402/Article/Sport_html
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2007&dt=0607&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sukan&pg=su_05.htm
Posted by Mike at 10:36 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Can we get the real BPF to stand up?
Got his reply from someone claiming to be a member of the Badminton Players Federation. Must call Bob Milroy (President of the BPF) and congratulate him on his members suddenly showing interest in the BWF office.
You know what I think, this is the same guy, who wrote the original email claiming to be a staff of the BWF.
The mail said:
1 - Your last para mentioned his/hers salary comes from Federation. This is true in fact. Lately, we were told by the staffs that the GM has his so called personal secretary who only listens to the GM's words.Scenario in BWF secretariat was very unfriendly with the GM inviting personal friends to office and instructed staffs to serve drinks etc.
The Deputy President was given the task by the President and his Council to run the secretariat. ALL were employed by the Deputy President to work for BWF.
The President needs to know his role. Reading at the article written by the 'staff' explained how ignorant the President is in the sport and his poor dealings with international sports personnel.
It does not make sense to have a President heading an international power sport and could not speak a word of English instead of relying on instigations and interpreters. In between the path, there could be alot of miscommunications.
GIVE UP, Mr President (Comment this)
Written by: Member of Badminton Players Federation at 2007/06/04 - 23:20:28
Let me put some facts right to this ignorant soul:
Fact One: The GM was confirmed as the COO at the BWF Council Meeting in Glasgow.
Fact Two: The COO does not have a personal secretary.
Fact Three: The only person who has a personal secretary in the BWF office is the Deputy President. Her name is Patricia.
Fact Four: Anyone is entitled to meet the COO at his office. That is the perk of a COO in any company including international companies. Anyway not everyone have their girlfriends office right next door for them to drop by every now and then.
Fact Five: The Deputy Presidents task to run the secretariat was interim until the GM or COO is appointed and it expired in Glasgow.
This is the extract from the minutes of the BWF EGM in Madrid last year.
Fact Six: The Deputy President may have been interviewed the staff before offers were made. But it is the council which confirm the appointment and are the paymasters. The president as chair of the council is the first boss.
Fact Seven: English is not a prerogative of being a president in any association. Take for example Havelange, who does not speak English, but took FIFA to a powerful International Federation. Even the presidents, prime ministers and monarchy of many countries do not speak English and use interpreters in the daily business.
Posted by Mike at 09:55 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
Monday, June 04, 2007
Malaysians 6,500 miles journey to stop sports plan
Malaysian journalist wants to stop the Brickendonbury High Performance Training Centre.
Ответ:
Кому не спится в ночь глухую ... ?
