Fight breaks out in CGA ahead of GFI elections

CHANDIGARH:With the world governing body for gymnastics (FIG) asking the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) to get its electoral college approved for the November 5 elections by the Indian Olympic Association, a war of words has erupted between the two factions of the Chandigarh Gymnastics Association over the claim for the IOA affiliation.

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 15

With the world governing body for gymnastics (FIG) asking the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) to get its electoral college approved for the November 5 elections by the Indian Olympic Association, a war of words has erupted between the two factions of the Chandigarh Gymnastics Association over the claim for the IOA affiliation.

Chandigarh has two associations for gymnastics — one headed by Davinder Singh Sandhu and the other one by Major Deepak Chaudhary. The Chandigarh Olympics Association (COA) has granted affiliation to the faction headed by Chaudhary, leaving the body led by Sandhu fuming.

Sandhu claimed that they had been conducting all the championships in the city and even the players registered with their association were getting scholarships from the UT Sports Department, and accused the COA of bias.

“The other association is not even registered with the Chandigarh Sports Council or even with the Chandigarh Administration. We have all the documents. The COA had asked us to submit the detail of our work in the last three years, but granted the affiliation to the other party, who are doing nothing,” Sandhu alleged.

“We have been working day and night for the promotion of the sport. We organised state championships, sent teams for the Nationals, and even our players are getting benefits from the UT Sports Council. Then how can COA grant affiliation to the other body?” Sandhu asked. “We will definitely take some legal help to sort out the matter,” he added.

The FIG had earlier said the electoral college prepared by the GFI would need its final approval, but it would do so if vetted by the IOA.

Meanwhile, COA general secretary Maha Singh said the association headed by Chaudhary was affiliated with the COA for the last 20 years.

“The association headed by Chaudhary is affiliated with us for the last 20 years. The UT Sports Council is unaware of this fact, and hence allotting scholarships to the gymnasts,” claimed Maha Singh.

“We have hosted senior Nationals and also organised the state championships in 2018, and even during the years before that. Our association is registered under the Society’s Act and we have been affiliated with the COA for the last many years,” said Chaudhary.