Ex-archers excited about proposal for inclusion in AAI

Former India archers and coaches on Saturday hailed the formation of 22-member Archers Commission of India (ACI) that will give them a representation and voting rights in the national federation.

Derecognised since 2012, the Archery Association of India (AAI) will have its elections at the Sports Authority of India national headquarters at the Jawaharlal Stadium on December 22.

As per amended constitution made by court-appointed administrator-cum-returning officer, S Y Quraishi, the AAI office bearers will have three representations from ACI.

One of them will be a woman archer for the post of vice-president, while there will one post for joint-secretary and the other in the executive committee.

A newly-constituted body as per the recommendation of Quraishi, the ACI has 22 members, including former Olympians, Asian medalists, Commonwealth medalists, and national players.

"ACI is a very good initiative and all the sportspersons should encourage this. This will go a long way in bringing sportpersons to the fore. Finally we will have a say in the national federation," national observers Sanjeeva Singh, who is also an ACI member, told PTI.

Dronacharya award winner Purnima Mahato, former coach of the Indian women's team, also welcomed the new provision.

"The ex-athletes should get voting rights to help promote sports," Mahato said.

C Lalremsanga, a two-time Olympian in the 1990s, also hailed the move.

"It's wrong to think that IAS and political leaders can only bring money to sports.

"Every discipline cannot be like cricket, but it can be like kabaddi. A code of conduct and voting rights to ex-archers are moves which will help archery," he said.

Dhyan Chand awardee and former Olympian Satyadev Prasad said this would curb corruption and injustice.

"This is an excellent step and should be implemented in all sports," he added.

ACI members: Limba Ram, Sanjeeva Singh, Dhulchand, Shyamlal, Skalzang Dorgi, C Lalremsanga, Dola Banerjee, Tira Samanta, Ruma Rot, Rajat Halder, Chekrovolu Swuro, Rajendra Guiya, Krishna Ghatakdas, Rajesh Hasdak, Reena Kumari, Gautam Singh, Majhi Sawaiyan, Robin Hasdah, Sumangala Sharma, Somai Murmu, Chungda Sherpa, Purnima Mahato.