Ad-hoc secretary sacks acting president, selectors

New Delhi, July 15

The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) and controversies are inseparable. After last year’s fiasco when Indian riders competed for Nepal in the Tent Pegging World Cup Qualifiers, and countless court hearings over Sports Code violations, EFI has sacked its acting president Colonel Jagat Singh, three other executive members and the selection committee.

Col Jagat , who was vice president (technical), and other officials were removed from EFI as per the rules of the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) for government servants. As a result, the EFI executive has been reduced from 22 to only three members. Col Jaiveer Singh, who is the secretary general, removed Col Jagat and nominated Harish Khokhar — who was the vice president (finance) — as the new acting president.

For the record, the EFI body, which was elected in 2019, was acting in an ad-hoc capacity as per a court order.

Col Jaiveer also removed the selection committee over various issues, including the age cap of 70 years, which is applicable only to office-bearers. When contacted, he said that the changes were made as per the Sports Code and DOPT guidelines.

“Some of the EC members resigned due to personal and other reasons. The changes have been done as per the rules,” he said. When asked about Col Jagat’s removal, he said the tenure of the acting president was over.

Furious

A furious Col Jagat said: “I want to know under what authority has he taken this decision? Has he taken the EC into confidence? I do not think he has. I was also a secretary general and I know from experience that one has to take the executive in confidence before taking any action.” “This order by the secretary general has come because I had asked for his comments on complaints against him,” he added.

Interestingly, the only other EC member left, Col SS Ahlawat, has opposed Khokhar’s elevation.