Finally, COA poll drama ends, questions over accountability
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 17
After a faction of the Chandigarh Olympic Association (COA) elected Vikram Singh as its president a few days ago, the group led by Amarinder Singh Bazaz held the poll to elect the new office bearers today.
The split in the COA has brought disrepute to the local sports and has also raised questions over the working of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as both the elections were conducted under their supervision.
IOA observer Kuldeep Vats supervised both March 8 and today’s elections.
Right after the faction led by Amarinder Singh Bazaz conducted their elections, Vikram Singh, who heads the rival faction, alleged that “bogus associations” had attended the poll.
Bazaz was re-elected as president today, while NS Thakur was elected as general secretary. Harish Kakkar was elected as treasurer.
Rahul Talwar, son of COA CEO Ravinder Talwar – an old member of the Chandigarh Olympic Association – was elected as vice president.
Earlier, during March 8 elections, Vikram Singh, son of former COA general secretary Maha Singh, was elected as president of the rival faction.
“Many bogus associations participated in today’s elections and one of the examples is from netball. The association (netball) affiliated to the national federation is in our support and the list is long. We will definitely move court,” said Vikram Singh.
When asked if the group led by him plans to submit a complaint to the IOA, Vikram Singh said: “Not now, but we will definitely approach them after completing all the paper work.”
Bazaz, meanwhile, hit back saying: “We have got the authority letters signed by respective association representatives.”
Confusion prevails
Meanwhile, IOA observer Kuldeep Vats, who also attended the March 8 elections, failed to clear doubts over the COA’s authentication.
When asked if he attended the previous elections in official capacity, Vats replied: “I was informed about elections on January 27. However, those were postponed. Later, I attended the March 8 elections on the basis of the previous orders. There could be some miscommunication.”
Vats even announced that the body (led by Bazaz) would work for the welfare of sports.
He said that IOA assesses performance of all the units. When asked about the COA’s performance, he replied: “Very bad.”
“But things will change now,” said Vats.
Right to rule
Sources said that the fight was now not about the majority, but about who has followed the rules. “There’s no doubt that the COA follows the National Sports Code and whichever faction would have followed the rules will be granted affiliation.”
As per the rules, only the president can call upon the elections and appoint returning officer. However, the other faction led by Vikram Singh had authorised the secretary for the procedure. Both sides should be taken to the task,” said a source.
Maha Singh, former COA general secretary, meanwhile, alleged that Amarinder Singh Bazaz was not a resident of Chandigarh and hence cannot contest the elections.
However, Bazaz said he had a rented accommodation in Sector 27.
“As per the rule, he (Bazaz) cannot contest elections as he is not a resident of Chandigarh. All communication addressed to his local address returned undelivered. He is a former mayor of Patiala and also a resident of Patiala,” said Maha Singh.
“I don’t have that much money to buy house in every city or wherever I wish. I have a rented accommodation here in Sector 27,” Bazaz rebutted.
