Sports Ministry de-recognises Archery and Boxing Federations of India
In further development on the suspension 'front', Sports Ministry too took the first steps towards fair elections in the country's national federations.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: December 07, 2012 01:48 PM IST
In further development on the suspension 'front', Sports Ministry too took the first steps towards fair elections in the country's national federations.
While the International Olympic Committee had suspended the Indian Olympic body, the World boxing body had suspended the India Boxing federation.
As a repercussion, the Indian sports ministry today de-recognised the Archery Association of India and the Indian Boxing Federation.
They have given the boxing body 15 days time to confirm that they will have a re-election.
Sports Minister Jitendra Singh said, "Indian sportsperson are our top priority. If Boxing Federation doesn't confirm that they will hold re-election in 15 days, we will de-recognise them."
The full media release - Indian Boxing Federation's suspended recognition
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has suspended recognition of Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) with immediate effect. The Minister said the decision has been taken as the election of the IABF held on 23.09.2012 were in violation of the procedure laid down in the Sports Code. The major defects were:
a. The publication of the electoral roll was flawed because it was not possible for the electoral roll to be dispatched to members by post prior to the last date for filing of nominations and merely publishing on the website is not considered sufficient notice or information to all members.
b. Members were not given sufficient time to file nominations as the gap between the finalization of the electoral roll and the filing of nomination was too short to allow people to travel large distances and file nominations personally.
c. Nominations of candidates were taken from the floor of the House on a date which was after last date of nomination and this is not permissible.
In view of this, the entire election needs to be held afresh. The Government has to suspend the recognition of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation pending fresh elections. A notice will be sent to the IABF to confirm that they will hold fresh elections under independent supervision within a period of 15 days failing which the de-recognition will be made absolute.
Shri Jitendra Singh said the International Boxing Federation has also suspended the IABF, pending enquiry into the elections held on 23.09.2012. This will mean that boxers from India may find it difficult to participate in international events. The Government of India will open a dialogue with the IABF to set in place interim measures so that the athletes are not affected.
Full media release - Archery Association of India's de-recognised
He said that while the procedures adopted in the elections were in conformity with the procedures laid down in the Sports Code and common practice, the Archery Association has violated the age and tenure restrictions prescribed in the Sports Code. The President elect 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.
The Minister said, the High Court in its Civil Writ Petition No.195/2010 dated 15.02.2012 and 17.09.2012 had directed that the Government shall not grant recognition to the Archery Association of India unless they hold elections as per the Sports Code. In view of the directions of the High Court, the Government has no option but to withdraw the recognition of the Archery Association of India.
He said the Archery Association of India has been advised to hold fresh elections for the post of President, in conformity with the Sports Code. They have also been requested to amend their constitution to bring it in conformity with the Sports Code and Olympic Charter. This would help avoid such conflicts in future.
Shri Jitendra Singh said the impact of de-recognition will be that Government funding for the Archery Association of India will stop immediately. Nor will assistance to hold national and regional championships be available. The Government is contemplating interim measures, by which athletes are not affected. The Government will also open a dialogue with the international body to ensure that participation of Indian athletes is not hampered in any way.