CSI condemn Kalmadi's attempt to become president of Asian Athletics Association

The Clean Sports India (CSI) President Ashwini Nachappa today lashed out the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for backing Suresh Kalmadi’s nomination for contesting elections at the Asian Athletic Association.

“If Athletics Federation of India nominated Kalmadi as the Presidential candidate of Asian Athletic Association (AAA), it is proven right in her long standing argument that AFI is still run by Kalmadi and (Lalit) Bhanot,” said Nachappa.

CSI national convener B V P Rao said that this attempt of Kalmadi is a clear violation of Code of Ethics of IOC (International Olympics Committee), which prohibits such tainted persons from holding any position in any sports body.

CSI Joint Convenor Reeth Abraham said it was a shameless attempt on Kalmadi’s part to come back to sports administration after detained in jail for eight months.   She appealed to the voters of AAA not to vote for Kalmadi in case he proceeds with his plan to contest the elections to be held on July 1 in Pune.

Meanwhile, the president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Adille Sumariwalla said that it was the federation that had forwarded Kalmadi’s name in 2008 general body.

“The AFI has forwarded the name of Kalmadi. It was the decision taken in the 2008 general body that if the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) allows his nomination, we should have no objection in sending his nomination,” said Sumariwalla.

“Since there was no conviction against him, the IAAF recognises him, and if they are ready and happy to have his nomination then we should have no objection. They have no objection in him continuing as the president of the Asian Athletics Association. There is no point making such a hue and cry over the issue.

“We didn’t want to lose one seat there and that is basically the reason that we have no problem. Moreover we cannot discuss the issue and its Mr Kalmadi’s call what he wants to do. He is already there, so whether he is best or not, nobody else can get elected there at this point,” he added.

PTI