Olympic assn election opens can of worms

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15

The curiosity of who will head the Chandigarh Olympic Association (COA) seems to be heading nowhere as disapproval has emerged within one of the factions, which conducted its annual general meeting on Sunday, confirmed sources. The meeting was not attended by general secretary Raghumit Singh Sodhi, son of Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi.

The sources claimed that members, who attended the meeting, were surprised after they were allotted portfolios, which doesn’t even exist as per the COA constitution. Moreover, the circular of this meeting mentioned that the body is affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), whereas no such authority letter has been provided by the latter, so far.

“The local office will remain the same and its address will be printed on COA letterheads once we elect our office-bearers. As far as affiliation to the IOA is concerned, we will submit the minutes of this Sunday’s meeting and will get it (affiliation) in no time. We have followed all rules,” said Maha Singh, former general secretary of the COA, who is looking after the process. His son was elected as the president of the COA.

Poll tomorrow

Meanwhile, a parallel election is scheduled to be held on March 17 at a Sector 43-based private hotel. The sources claimed that the other group is trying every possible way to attract a number of associations. However, things are yet to the take final shape. “Both sides (groups) have flaws and it can be only solved through consensus. Even in this group, those contesting for authoritative posts were part of the other faction. The final verdict is likely to be of the IOA. Rumours hinted that the IOA wants both elections to happen to come up with an ad-hoc committee in Chandigarh,” said a source.