Batra chances to be IOA boss boosted

NEWDELHI: The prospect of Narinder Batra’s election as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief brightened after General Body’s interpretation of an article of its constitution, which will allow him to contest for the top job.

The highest decision making body of the IOA, in its special meeting, unanimously decided to allow office bearers and members of the Executive Council elected in 2012 and 2014 to contest for the post of president and secretary general in the December 14 polls. The Special GBM was called to discuss and interpret Article XI (1) (c) of the IOA Constitution which states that: “... it shall be a mandatory requirement for elections to the posts of President and Secretary General that only those members, who had held the office and were members in the preceding Executive Council of the IOA, shall be eligible to contest the elections.”

“The General House passed a resolution to the effect that the office bearers and members of the Executive Council elected in 2012 and 2014 will be eligible to contest for the post of president and secretary,” IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh said after the meeting.

IOA RECOGNISES BFI

NEWDELHI: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) was on Wednesday recognised as a national body by the Indian Olympic Association, which removed the terminated Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) as its affiliate after months of indecision. “The Olympic Charter clearly says that the sporting federation must be recognised by the international body. So we just followed that. The BFI has been recognised by the AIBA. Therefore the IOA has ratified the Olympic charter. It was a unanimous decision,” BFI President Ajay Singh told PTI.

BENGALURU FACE TUFC

BANGALORE: Bengaluru will face Bhutanese club Transport United in a two-legged AFC Cup South Asian Zone Preliminary Qualifier. First leg will be held at the Changlimithan Stadium on January 23 with the return leg at Kanteerava Stadium on January 30.