CHENNAI: The elections of the executive committee of the Volleyball Federation of India are set to be held during its annual general meeting on February 17. The VFI was being run by an ad hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association last year due to infighting and ‘unprofessionalism’.
The sports ministry had derecognised the VFI in 2019 and last year around May the ministry had requested the IOA to form an ad hoc committee to run the day-to-day affairs and also conduct elections. The election notice, dated January 19, was published on IOA, Sports Authority of India and sports ministry’s websites. The returning officer, former judge of Karnataka High Court P Krishna Bhatt, has issued the letter from TEAMS division, SAI, New Delhi.
The number of officials to be elected too has been reduced drastically. The ministry too had asked the VFI to not have more than 12 executive committee members as mandated by the Sports Code 2011. Earlier, as per the VFI constitution there were around 22 EC members. According to the January 19 notice, there will be an election for one president, one secretary, one treasurer, two vice presidents and two joint secretaries and five members.
Though the sports ministry had derecognised VFI in 2019, the international body started to recognise them around 2022. At that time the president was Achyuta Samanta and secretary was Anil Choudhary. Though two elections were held in 2020, the IOA too recognised Samanta's faction. Though there had been issues within the VFI but Samanta remained a popular choice and could return as president.
Wednesday evening was the last date to receive names for the electoral college. The dates to hear disputes relating to the inclusion of names in the electoral college are January 27 and 28. Nominations will be filed between February 4 to 5 and final list will be out on February 11. The AGM and elections are set for February 17.