Factionalism again comes to fore in Olympic association

While the Chandigarh Olympic Association’s (COA) elections schedule and list of units with voting rights have already been announced, one of units has come up with their own resolution.

The Deputy Commissioner-appointed administrator to conduct the elections on November 1 approved a total of 22 units as valid voters. A day later, one of them passed a resolution raising that the administrator was acting contrary to the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) orders.

The resolution issued on the letterhead of COA bearing no names of office bearers and no sign against the “president” column claimed: “As per the direction of the High Court, it was specifically to conduct fresh elections in March. The secretary had submitted all the documents of valid associations (having voting rights) to the administrator and to the office of his assistant. The administrator is acting contrary to the orders, and includes associations that are not members. It has been unanimously decided that the secretary is authorised to take legal action in this regard,” read the order.

Notably, the resolution came after the announcement of valid voters’ list, in which the group may fear losing power, claimed officials privy to the matter. The process of electing the new house with the appointment of the DC was ordered in January, and the election scheduled was announced in the mid-week of October 2025.

Interestingly, various allegations have been levelled in the past for affiliation and disaffiliation of various units.

For nearly the last two decades, the COA officials have been fighting to gain full control over the sports body. However, it was for the first time that the HC involved government officials to conduct the elections in a systematic manner.

“The COA people don’t want to lose power, and instead of solving the matter they like to make a garble. This will lead to nothing but delay in the proceedings,” said one of the officials.

Lobbying begins ahead of Nov 21 polls

• As per the election schedule, the distribution of nomination papers started today.
• The process will continue on November 9, followed by the receiving of nomination papers on November 10 and 11 and other formalities including scrutiny of nomination papers, publication of list of validity and withdrawals, at the office of the returning officer.
• The election is slated for November 21.
• Meanwhile, lobbying has begun for the elections as one of the groups invited all 34 associations who are not even part of the elections to a dinner party on Saturday evening.