Athletics federation told to hold re-elections

The Sports Ministry on Tuesday gave the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) two months to amend its constitution and hold re-elections for the post of president, secretary and treasurer.

In a letter to the AFI, the ministry drew its attention to a few contentious clauses in its constitution and asked it to hold re-elections for a few posts.

It instructed the federation to carry out the elections within the period of 60 days, or 28 February 2013, whichever is earlier.

"The AFI has been directed to amend its constitution to delete Article XIV(b)(1) and hold elections to the three posts (president, secretary and treasurer) de-novo," read a statement from the Sports Ministry.

"They have been advised that if the above action is not carried out within the period of 60 days, or 28 February 2013, whichever is earlier, the recognition to AFI shall stand withdrawn without any further notice," the statement added.

The ministry also warned of taking action against the AFI if clauses were not amended.

"It was found that Clause XIV(b)(1) of the Constitution of AFI required that a person must be an existing member of the Executive Committee of the AFI for seeking election to the post of President/Secretary.

"This Clause was found to be restricting the potential candidates and was also in violation of the National Sports Development Code 2011. It was also observed that the election to the post of treasurer was also in contravention of the Department of Personnel & Training's Circular dated 22-4-1994," the statement said.

The Sports Ministry had recently de-recognised the Archery Association of India (AAI) for "violating age and tenure guidelines" of the government's Sports Code during its elections last month, and Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), stating its election process was "flawed and faulty".

Sports minister Jitendra Singh, who on Monday said there is no ban imposed on the AFI as of now, insisted all those federations that are not following the Sports Code could face action.

"As of now there is no ban imposed (on AFI). We are looking at all the Federations which are not following the sports code. The process is going on. Those who are not following the code, ban could be imposed on them," Singh had said.