Indian suspension lifted
The ongoing suspension of the the Archery Association of India was conditionally lifted by World Archery following new elections in New Delhi on 18 January. Indian athletes had been banned from international competition for five months, but had competed under neutral flags in competitions such as the Asian Championships, in order that they could still try to gain Olympic places.
It was the culmination of a lengthy and convoluted issue over governance of the sport in India, where the national governing body had split into two factions. The membership was suspended in August 2019.
The new federation, led by union minister Arjun Munda, is required to solve several governance issues before the suspension is fully lifted, with progress report required every three months.
World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen said: “We hope this is the start of a well-governed association in India and will help, where necessary, to develop the strategy that will accomplish this.”
“Indian athletes can now focus on getting ready for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which is now just six months away.”
Currently, India has three men’s and one women’s quota place at Tokyo 2020. However, with the coffers of the new federation apparently empty, according to reports in the Indian media, it may still be a bumpy ride for India's archery athletes for a while yet.
jyothi surekha vennam (india)