Octogenarian Malhotra re-elected AAI president

Malhotra defeated Rao by a margin of 72-20 in the elections which took place here after three postponements, demonstrating the acting IOA president's stranglehold in the archery association since he first took up the post in 1973.

This is, however, for the first time that Malhotra had to contest an election, having being elected unopposed in earlier terms.

The electoral college, which has been declared by Returning Officer Justice (Retd) J D Kapoor under Delhi High Court orders, had 102 members with each state unit getting three votes and each organisation/sports boards one vote.

Tarlochan Singh was elected as senior vice-president defeating GA Ibposhak, while Virendra Sachdeva defeated Sradhanand Das for the post of treasurer.

Earlier, Anil Kaminenio (secretary general) and seven joint secretaries belonging to Malhotra's panel were elected unopposed.

The eight vice-presidents elected are Kailash Murarka, Kiren Rijiju, Sanjiv Paul, Anantharaju, Kulbir Singh Kang, MW Nongbri, Ajay Gupta and ML Jadam.

Malhotra was elated with the "overwhelming" verdict in his favour.

"I am humbled by this overwhelming mandate. I have always worked for the improvement and development of archery. I am happy that our archers are now competing at the international level on equal terms with foreign archers," he said.