SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 21: The officials of seven sports bodies of the district on Tuesday alleging irregularities in the process of the Dhanbad Olympic Association (DOA) election scheduled on September 26, staged a dharna at Randhir Verma Chowk demanding cancellation of it.
Agitating sports bodies alleged that though they deposited affiliation fees in the account of the district Olympic Association, they have been debarred from participating in the election. Moreover, two associations-boxing and Wushu-are affiliated but their general secretaries are not allowed to participate.
The officials of district boxing association, district cycling association, District weight lifting association, district Wushu Association, district modern pentathlon association, district equestrian association, district gymnastic association, district sepak takraw association staged dharna for voting right in the election.
Seven sports bodies officials charged that the DOA general secretary has adopted a pick and choose policy in allowing sports bodies to participate in the election scheduled on September 26 to ensure the victory of his choice of people. At least six sports bodies have not been given affiliation by DOA.
They also charged that all sports bodies were not informed officially by the general secretary through the proper channels over election so far.
“We would continue dharna daily till the election is postponed and all sports bodies are given affiliation,” said agitating officials.
However, District Olympic Association general secretary Ranjeet Kesri justified the decision of not allowing participation of some sports bodies in the election saying that after the announcement of election notification nobody can be given affiliation.
He said that after the announcement of the election some sports bodies deposited fees in the bank of the DOA. “ They have not given application till date for affiliation. Had they given an application DOA would have discussed that at the AGM scheduled on September 26. Moreover, the tenure of the present DOA committee was completed in June and has been given three months extension by the state JOA due to Covid-19. So this committee has no authority to give affiliation.
“The main point is that some sports bodies such like fencing, equestrian and other have no activities in the district. So such body can’t be given affiliation,” said Ranjeet Keshri. The DOA secretary said the general secretary of two associations had created commotion in the 2019 AGM meeting. So they have been debarred from the election.
Keshri said since the Jharkhand Olympic Association has nominated its observer, the election can’t be postponed.
