NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association president N Ramachandran has confirmed he will not be contesting the upcoming elections at IOA’s annual general body meeting here on December 14.
That leaves two contestants who are expected to file nominations by the last date of on or before November 29 to replace the veteran sports administrator in FIH president Narinder Batra and former AITA chief Anil Khanna.
“I wish to inform all of you that contrary to what is being said, it is not my intention to stand for election as president of the IOA in the ensuing elections,” Ramachandran wrote in a letter to the IOA members.
The 69-year-old was elected president in 2014 following IOA’s lengthy suspension by the world body. “I am nearing 70 and I intend to abide by the constitution of the IOA and the guidelines framed by the IOC. I firmly believe that my successor should have a full term of four years and I wish him and the new team all the best,” he stated.
In any case, a second term for Ramachandran was a seriously long shot as he had lost the support of the majority of IOA members who, reports aver, did not approve his style of functioning.
