Rao braces up to take on Malhotra, raises several issues

In a letter to all the associate units, highlighting the plight of the AAI, Rao a former IAS officer, urged the entire archery community to involve both provisional and regular members in the October 28 election. He has raised concern at barring North-Eastern affiliate units from voting at the upcoming federation elections.

"In the sport of archery, North-Eastern states have special interest as four archers -- two men and two women -- out of six member of the Indian team for London Olympics were from North East India.

"I am pained to know AAI has rejected the voting right to Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Tripura stating that they are still provisional members and not regular members," Rao, who is credited with the growth of archery during his four year tenure at the Sports Authority of India from 1985, said.

Rao who is also the vice president of the Assam Archery Association created a flutter after he decided to challenge the candidature of veteran Malhotra, an undisputed chief of the AAI since 1973.

Rao, while citing 'Article 3' of the AAI Constitution, said how can the governing body not allow these state associations from participating in the elections.

"The Article states that all affiliations will be provisional until the member association/board participates in the national championship," he said.

Rao pointed that if the association did not contrive as per the constitution, it will lead to discriminatory treatment which will be challenged in court of law for violation.

"Arunachal has hosted national championships. It's president Kiren Rijijiu is the current vice president of AAI. How is it possible for a president of Arunachal to be the vice president AAI, while the state body itself does not have a voting Right?," Rao questioned. MORE