RFI requests IOA to recognise February elections

New Delhi, May 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Rowing Federation of India (RFI) on Friday requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to recognise the election it held in February 2020 as it continues its push to regain recognition from the Sports Ministry. The RFI was de-recognised in December 2019 when the ministry determined that its elections held that month had violated the 2011 National Sports Code.

"A Special General Meeting was convened on 25th January, 2020 at Hyderabad to amend the offending portions of the Rowing Federation of India Constitution which were not in consonance with the National Sports Code 2011 and the policies of Indian Olympic Association," said M.V. Sriram, who was elected as RFI Secretary General in February, in the letter addressed to IOA President Narinder Batra.

"Provision of Proxy voting included in the RFI Constitution, was deleted. The Electoral College representing the Affiliates as Councillors, was reduced from three to two.

"After this, fresh Re-Elections were held at Hyderabad on 22nd February, 2020, within the 90 days period as per your directions."

"In view of our full compliance to your directions, as stated above, it is humbly requested that IOA issue a letter recognising our elections and notifying our new office bearers and Executive Committee," said Sriram.

Batra subsequently asked K. Govindraj, who was IOA observer appointed for the February elections, to share his report and that of the Returning Officer M. Aravindan.

Rajlaxmi Singh Deo was elected as RFI President while Sriram was made Secretary General in the February elections. It was widely expected that the ministry would grant recognition after that but the RFI was left out of the recent list of 54 National Sports Federations (NSF) that were granted recognition till September this year.

Source: IANS