World Archery suspends AAI

Kolkata, August 8

The World Archery (WA) suspended the Archery Association of India for defying its guidelines by electing two parallel bodies, asking the federation to put its house in order by the end of this month. 

The decision is effective from Monday and the last event in which the archers can participate under the Indian flag is the World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid from August 19 to 25. 

Terming it unfortunate, the factions led by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda and retired IAS officer BVP Rao kept fighting but promised to work in the interest of the archers with less than a year to go for the Tokyo Olympics. The AAI had to find a solution by the end of July as per the deadline given WA’s executive board and since no progress has been made, the world governing body implemented the suspension order.

“If no solution is found by the end of this month, the executive board will decide what can be done to preserve the chances of Indian athletes participating in the Asian Championships and Asian Para Championships,” World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen said in a statement.

Since a court judgement is expected on the dispute, the AAI had requested the WA to give it a few more days but it was turned down. Interestingly, suspension order has come a day before court hearing on the issue. Olympics quota places will be up for grabs at the Asian Championships and Asian Para Championships, to be held in Bangkok in November. India so far have three men’s places secured for the next Olympics but has yet to win a women’s spot. — PTI