NEW DELHI: Tussle for power once again brought the downfall of a sports federation in India. World Archery (WA) has hit the final nail in Archery Association of India’s (AAI) coffin by suspending it effective August 5 after no resolution could be reached with regards to two factions — one led by Union Minister Arjun Munda and another by former bureaucrat BVP Rao — getting elected.
The notice comes a day prior to the next scheduled hearing on the matter by a special bench of the Delhi High Court. The world body had initially given time till the end of this month to get its house in order but since the matter is sub-judiced in Delhi HC no decision on the warring factions could be reached.
“WA is implementing the decision taken in June by suspending the AAI. The last event in which Indian athletes can participate is the youth championships in Madrid,” WA secretary general Tom Dielen said in a statement.
The Indian body had requested WA to give it some more time as court proceedings are already underway but it was turned down. The next event of note for Indian archers is the 2019 Asian Archery Championships and Asian Para Championships.
“We will work with the Indian Olympic Association and Indian Government to try to establish a transitory committee, with representatives from all sides, to handle urgent matters. If no long-term solution is found by the end of August, the executive board will decide what can be done,” Dielen added.