'Old' NRAI has task cut out ahead of polls
Jaswant was appointed to the post by president Raninder Singh, a source said. The administrator served as NRAI secretary-general in the '70s and is the most "experienced" man connected to the sport at the moment.
With most of its officials aged above 70, the poll-bound National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has its task cut out as far as falling in line with the age and tenure guidelines of the government's sports code is concerned.
The NRAI, which will hold elections in April, recently appointed 90-year-old Col (Retd) Jaswant Singh as honourary secretary and though it is not a violation of the sports code as only the principal office-bearers - president, secretary, treasurer - of national sports federations come under its purview, it certainly reflects how the association views the code.
"Most of the officials in the governing body are above 70, with some of them even touching or over 80. This shows they are not at all serious about the code," sources close to the NRAI said.
NRAI secretary, Rajeev Bhatia, however, defended the move, saying it was just "an honourary post" given to a veteran administrator, who has "served the sport with distinction" over the last few decades.
Jaswant was appointed to the post by president Raninder Singh, a source said. The administrator served as NRAI secretary-general in the '70s and is the most "experienced" man connected to the sport at the moment.
The said post of honourary secretary was vacated after Kanwar Randhir Singh of Himachal was forced to quit following allegations of misappropriation of funds.
"As the elections are approaching, this important post was given to Delhi - Jaswant represents the state - which is a more important state than Himachal," a source claimed.
Besides, there are other officials such as adviser Baljeet Singh Sethi, senior vice-president Avtar Singh Sethi, who have crossed the prescribed age but are still calling the shots in various capacities.
S Jagjit Singh Sethi, acting general secretary, members Kishan Avtan and Kamal Monga are almost 80, while Prof. Sunny Thomas and D K Shukla are 70-plus.
Advisor Baljeet Singh Sethi had, after the NRAI's governing body meeting on February 1, said not all provisions of the recently amended constitution conform to the sports code.