Tribal minister likely to head Indian archery
Kolkata: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and newly-inducted minister in the Narendra Modi government, Arjun Munda, is likely to be elected unanimously as president of the de-recognised Archery Association of India.
"I have completed the process (of filing nomination) and now look forward
to the elections," Munda, who was entrusted with the
tribal welfare ministry portfolio, said from New Delhi on Friday.
"There's a lot of potential in India in archery, especially in tribal areas. We will look to tap the talent and continue to produce good archers," the BJP MP from Khunti said.
A three-time Jharkhand chief minister, the 51-year-old Munda is a hugely popular tribal leader who also runs an archery academy, which was instrumental in the rise of former world number one Deepika Kumari.
"Previously I worked at a small place (Saraikela-Kharsawan) and produced acclaimed archer like Deepika Kumari. Now, I will look to take it forward. In a country of 1.3 billion, I'm sure there are enough talent to produce an Olympic medal winner."
In an stunning development, the AAI's June 9 elections will be held simultaneously in New Delhi and Chandigarh with the warring factions of the AAI — one with former president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and the other with the last chief BVP Rao — issuing two elections notices of the same date and time, albeit in two different cities.
Both the factions have claimed each other's elections as "illegal and in violation of the constitution" and it remains to be seen which one of the two elections would be given a go-ahead by the Delhi High Court where the new body has to submit a compliance report within six weeks' of taking over.
"We will ensure that the elections are free and fair.
The notifications were given well in advance and we will follow the National Sports Code. It's time to work together for the future of Indian archery," he added. Acting president
of the AAI, Sunil Sharma claimed that they have got majority and would be the "clear winners".
