Dual blows floor sports bodies

The Sports Ministry on Friday withdrew recognition to the Archery Association of India (AAI) and suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), days after the International Olympic Committee suspended the Indian Olympic Association.

The decision came soon after the International Boxing Association (IBA) provisionally suspended IABF over allegations of manipulation of its elections.

The ministry stated that the AAI elections on November 9 was in violation of sports code while officials did not adhere to appropriate nomination process for the IABF elections held on September 23. The AAI is headed by IOA acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra while Abhay Singh Chautala - who was elected the IOA president in an election not recognised by the IOC - is the IABF chairman.

Malhotra, 81, was elected the AAI president for a 10th consecutive term. He was at the helm for 40 years, while the sports code prevents a person from becoming president of the federation for more than three terms.

In IABF, the chairman’s post was created to accommodate Chautala while his brother-in-law, Abhishek Matoria, was elected president, a move that invited wrath of the authorities concerned.

“The president-elect (Malhotra) of the Archery Association of India has served for more than three consecutive terms in the past and is also above the age of 70 years,” said Sports Minister Jitendra Singh.

Singh said IABF has been given 15 days to decide on fresh elections. Until then, their recognition stands suspended.

“The publication of IABF electoral roll was flawed because it was not possible to dispatch the roll to the members by post before the last date for filing of nominations. Publishing on the website is not considered sufficient notice or information to all members,” said Singh.