NEW DELHI: The apex governing body of the sport of archery, World Archery (WA) has refused to recognise the recent elections of the Archery Association of India (AAI), a development that might result in the national federation’s suspension and extend the sport’s woes in the country.
According to reports, WA had sent a letter recently to newly elected AAI President B V P Rao that since the elections were conducted without the formal permission of the General Assembly, its results cannot be accepted.
“…I regret to inform you that the World Archery Executive Board at this stage cannot accept the outcome of the General Assembly held on 22 December 2018 and your election as president as well as the rest of the Board…,” WA secretary general Tom Dielen had said in the letter.
“We ask you to provide us the full minutes of the General Assembly (of December 22) for verification of the above matter before 25 January 2019. Following the receipt of the minutes the World Archery Executive Board will take a decision on the possible suspension of the Archery Association of India,” Dielen added.
The development means that despite the AAI office-bearers being elected under the supervision of former Indian chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi, the Delhi High Court appointed administrator, Indian archers will be not be permitted to participate in international events as well.
WA also asked Rao to inform it about any decision by the High Court on the matter.
“We have also been informed that this matter has been raised to the High Court which will decide on this in February. We ask you to inform us as soon as possible on the outcome,” it said further.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has also been in the mix as it has opposed the 22 December elections, perhaps prompting World Archery’s stand.
IOA had sent a letter to Dielen earlier this month on the issue, mentioning that it did not send their observers for the elections as it wasn’t held under the aegis of the National Sports Code 2011.
It believes that as per the International Olympic Committee charter, individual members not representing state archery bodies weren’t allowed to vote for national federations.
“The amended constitution that formed the basis of the basis of the election of AAI held on 22 December 2018 does not have the approval of the AAI General Body. Further the amended constitution is not on lines with National Sports Development Code of India 2011,” the IOA letter said.
