Results of Board Vote on the Updated BWF Reset Proposal
- May 11, 2026
- 4:36 pm
Following recent discussions with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) at the 2026 BWF AGM, the USA Badminton (USAB) Board of Directors has conducted a vote via email for an “action without a meeting” regarding the updated Reset Proposal circulated on April 23, 2026.
The Motion
A motion was made to accept the updated reset proposal, which notably removed a previous provision requiring USAB to transfer its 10-year athlete list, general member records, and IP rights to the USOPC in the event of an unsuccessful reset.
Voting Results
The motion to accept the updated Reset Proposal has passed.
| Board Member | Vote |
| Pavan Vedere (Motion) |
Yes |
| Sudhir Kondisetty (Second) |
Yes |
| Ben Apple |
Yes |
| Jamie Subandi |
Yes |
| Paula Lynn Cao Hok |
Yes |
| Beiwen Zhang |
Yes |
| Eva Lee |
Yes |
| Patty Pflaging |
No |
| Philip Varghese |
No |
| Ken Wong (Chair) |
No |
Board Perspectives & Rationale
To ensure transparency, the Board would like to share the key considerations that influenced the different votes cast by your directors:
Supporting the Reset (Votes in Favor)
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Respecting Membership Voice: Pavan Vedere noted that while he maintains serious concerns regarding grassroots protection and junior circuit continuity, feedback from the membership indicates a substantial portion supports the plan. He viewed his “Yes” vote as a responsibility to serve as a voice for the membership’s desire for change.
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Restoring Credibility: Sudhir Kondisetty acknowledged the plan is not perfect but emphasized that the community wants a change and that resetting is a necessary step to regain the trust of participants.
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Rebuilding Stability: Beiwen Zhang expressed that after considering the impact of continued uncertainty on athletes and future opportunities, moving forward is the best path to rebuild stability and progress for the sport.
Opposing the Reset (Votes Against)
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Structural Concerns: Philip Varghese, Chair of the Audit Committee, argued that the reset is “window dressing” and fails to address deep-rooted issues such as financial noncompliance, governance delays, and the lack of grassroots infrastructure. He noted that replacing board members does not fix operational or cultural problems.
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Negotiation Dynamics: Chair Ken Wong expressed disappointment in the USOPC’s “take it or leave it” approach, feeling that the proposal was more about the goals of external organizations rather than what is best for USAB members.
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Institutional Interest: Patty Pflaging stated that while the BWF’s intentions may be good, the proposal remains lopsided and is not in the best interest of USAB or the U.S. badminton community.