Sports ministry to push for AFI re-election

The Sports Ministry is set to ask the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to hold re-elections for the posts of president and secretary after removing the clause that bars outsiders (those not part of the executive) from contesting, even as it ruled out a ban or suspension on the body.

In the elections held in April under the said restrictive clause, Adille Sumariwala and CK Valson became president and secretary without any opposition.

"We have written a letter, subject to the sports minister's approval, that recommends the AFI should hold a re-election for these posts. In the letter, we have asked them to remove that clause," said a source in the ministry.

The ministry decided this after Rahul Mehra filed a petition with the Delhi High Court, objecting to the election process. Mehra was asked to submit his queries to the ministry.

However, it is understood that the ministry officials aren't pushing to de-recognise the athletics body. "As of today there is no ban or suspension on the AFI. We believe they should be given time to correct this mistake," the source added.

Earlier, sports minister Jitendra Singh had said that the ministry will take tough actions against those federations who have not been following the sports code. Singh's statement had raised speculation that after Archery Association of India (AAI), which was de-recognised by the government for failing to adhere to age and tenure guidelines, the AFI was next on the ministry's radar.

Meanwhile, AFI chief Sumariwala, who met the ministry officials on Monday, brushed aside suggestions that a censure from the government might be in the offing.

"There is no case for suspension when it comes to our federation. We've followed the age and tenure guidelines and have held the elections accordingly. If Rahul Mehra or anybody else have a problem with that, let them approach the court," he told The Indian Express.

... contd.

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