Tainted Kalmadi loses AAA elections

Scam-tainted Suresh Kalmadi was today ousted as President of the Asian Athletics Association, losing the re-election bid to Qatar's Dahlan Jumaan Al-Hamad on the opening day of the continental body's two-day Congress here.

Kalmadi, who is out on bail after spending 10 months in jail for his alleged involvement in the Commonwealth Games scam, lost 18-20 while seeking re-election to a post he has held for 13 years.

Al Hamad is the Qatar Athletics Federation President and is also senior vice-president of the Asian body. The biennial Congress, before the July 3-7 Asian Athletics Championships, at a five-star hotel here is being attended by IAAF President Lamine Diack, besides some top officials from the AAA and the world body.

The Congress, which is the governing body of the association, consists of a Council and not more than two delegates from each member of the AAA. However, each member country has only one vote in the elections.

The Athletics Federation of India is being represented by its president Adille Sumariwala and Secretary C K Valson. The other members of the AAA Council -- a Senior Vice-President, Five Vice-Presidents and eight Executive Members -- will also be elected.