Paresh Thakur, corporator of the Panvel Municipal Corporation and president of the Badminton Organisation of Raigad (BOR), has been elected unopposed as a Vice-President of the Maharashtra Badminton Association (MBA) for the 2026–2030 term.
The election was held during the 84th Annual General Meeting of the Maharashtra Badminton Association in Nagpur, where the new office-bearers for the four-year term were finalised. Arun Lakhani was re-elected unopposed as president, while the new leadership also includes Shirish Boralkar as Working President, Mangesh Kashikar as Senior Vice-President and Siddharth Patil as Honorary General Secretary. The MBA’s official council listing confirms Thakur among the association’s Vice-Presidents for 2026–2030.
The election process for the new committee concluded unopposed, with reports stating that only one valid nomination was received for each of the principal posts. The new executive structure includes representatives from several districts across Maharashtra.
Raigad returns to MBA leadership
Thakur’s election gives Raigad district representation at the leadership level of the state badminton association.
According to the information provided by the Badminton Organisation of Raigad, Prashant Thakur, currently an MLA and former president of BOR, was the last representative from Raigad to serve as a Vice-President of the Maharashtra Badminton Association, having been elected to the post in 2014.
The latest appointment therefore brings a Raigad representative back into the MBA’s leadership after a 12-year gap.
Focus on badminton development in Raigad
Thakur has been associated with the development of badminton in Raigad through his role as president of the Badminton Organisation of Raigad. The organisation has supported players through financial assistance, encouragement and sponsorship, while also organising badminton tournaments and providing prize support, according to the information supplied for the appointment.
The stated objective has been to create greater opportunities for players from the district to compete at higher levels.
The district has also produced players who have gone on to compete beyond the local level. Master Dev Ruparelia has been selected in the Indian team for the Victor BWF World Junior Team Championships 2026 in Cairo, Egypt, according to the information provided, while Gatha Suryawanshi represented India in the Under-17 girls’ singles at the Asian Badminton Championships in China.
At the state level, the Raigad Under-17 and Under-19 girls’ teams have also retained their Maharashtra championship titles, according to the organisers.
Panvel badminton facilities also expanding
Commenting on Thakur’s election, MLA Prashant Thakur said his work through the Badminton Organisation of Raigad had focused on encouraging young players and creating opportunities for them.
He also referred to the development of badminton infrastructure in the region, including a proposed 10-court badminton complex in Panvel and additional badminton facilities and courts at various locations between Panvel and Kharghar.
“Paresh Thakur has consistently worked to encourage young players in Raigad and the Panvel area and to provide them with greater opportunities. His new responsibility at the Maharashtra level will give him an opportunity to take that work forward on a wider platform,” Prashant Thakur said.
The appointment was welcomed by former MP Loknete Ramsheth Thakur, BJP Maharashtra Pradesh Secretary and MLA Prashant Thakur, Panvel Mayor Nitin Patil, House Leader Adv. Prakash Binedar and others from the sports community.
Also present were Ravindra Bhagat, senior vice-president of the Badminton Organisation of Raigad; Shivkumar Karail, vice-president; Prashant Mukherjee, joint secretary; Narendra Joshi, treasurer; and former corporator Neeta Mali.
‘I will work for badminton across Maharashtra’
Thakur thanked the office-bearers and members of the association for supporting his election and said his focus would now extend to the wider development of badminton in Maharashtra.
“I sincerely thank all the office-bearers and members for expressing their trust in me and supporting me. I will always strive to contribute sincerely and consistently towards the overall development of badminton in Maharashtra and towards providing players with better opportunities, facilities and platforms. I am committed to doing justice to the trust and expectations placed in me,” said Paresh Thakur, Vice-President, Maharashtra Badminton Association.
The MBA’s new 2026–2030 council has representatives from districts across Maharashtra, with the association also announcing measures aimed at strengthening tournament administration, grassroots coaching and player development.
