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New Delhi: The much anticipated Indian Olympic Association (IOA) elections would be held on November 25 in presence of an observer from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). A representative of the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) is also expected to be present during the elections.
The decision, which was taken at the executive board meeting of the IOA on Monday, was certainly influenced by IOC’s threat to take action if the elections were not held in time and as per the guidelines of the international body.
The poll date, however, did not satisfy a section of the executive board, who demanded the elections should be held before October 10, when the present set of office bearers complete their four-year term. The current body, they claimed, would illegally occupy the office till November 25 and threatened that they would urge the IOC to appoint ad hoc committee after October 10.
According to sources, though the poll process would only be finalised after the general body meeting of the IOA on October 18, the present secretary general, Randhir Singh, and the Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) chairman, Abhay Chautala, could be contesting for the post of president.
Chautala is likely to be backed by the outgoing president and tainted 2010 Commonwealth Games organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and may also receive the support of acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra.
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