A Dronacharya awardee who honed skills of many budding archers and turned them into world-class players, Purnima Mahto is emerging as the best option for a key chair.

Since the incumbent secretary of Jharkhand Archery Association (JAA) Charles Borromeo resigned as head of Tata Steel sports wing on April 27 for alleged tender irregularities for the synthetic track at JRD Tata Sports Complex, 40-year-old Purnima is tipped to become the first woman secretary of JAA, the sports outfit that's the state's biggest medal-spinner.

Insiders in the JAA revealed that a consensus was being arrived at for her candidature for the secretary's post. Senior office bearers are in favour of the former archer and acclaimed mentor.

"I think Purnima is the best option in this scenario. She is from Jamshedpur and has been assisting Borromeo in the functioning of the state outfit as one of its joint secretaries. She also has the stature and experience to handle the affairs of the association efficiently," said JAA vice-president L. Murty.

Murty added he would request JAA president Sunil Bhaskaran to propose Purnima's name as secretary during the special annual general meeting. "I would earnestly request the JAA president to nominate her for the important post," Murty, a veteran archery administrator said.

Under JAA constitution, Bhaskaran will have to convene a special annual general meeting to nominate a secretary as Borromeo's replacement.

JAA joint secretary S.C. Mohanty also backed Purnima's candidature, asserting she was an archery veteran and most suitable for the post.

Archery experts also spoke in favour of the highly experienced mentor, who is a coach in Tata Archery Academy. "The post of state archery outfit secretary should remain with someone connected to the Tatas. The functioning of the body will be affected if a secretary from outside is selected. The Tatas have given so much to archery," said archery expert Bhaskar Swamy.