NRAI, Sports Ministry set for collision course

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) will be conducting its elections on April 5, but the body could find itself on a collision course with the government, as not all of its provisions are in accordance with the sports code.

"We have decided to hold the elections on April 5," NRAI's advisor, Baljeet Singh Sethi said after the association's governing body meeting that was attended by all the top officials.

Asked if the NRAI's constitution, which was amended a few months ago, conforms to the sports code, Sethi said, "Some of the provisions are in conformity with the sports code, but some of them are not."

The government had, a few days back, wrote to all the National Sports Federations (NSFs), asking them to inform the Sports Ministry by January 31 whether they have amended their constitutions in accordance with the sports code.

Going by NRAI's response, it seems it is yet to fall in line with the government's directive.

"We will sit again and discuss these things in detail. Moreover, the election commissioner will be there to oversee everything," Sethi said.

Current president Raninder Singh, who was appointed to the post after the trap shooter's landslide victory over Shyam Singh Yadav in 2010, is serving his first term. And he is also below 70 years of age -- age and tenure are the two integral provisions under the sports code.

So, as far as the post of president is concerned, even if Raninder wants to contest, the federation will not be flouting the sports code norms. But there could be issues over other posts.

"That we will finalise 15 days prior to the elections," Sethi said.