'Old' NRAI has task cut out ahead of polls

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. MORE