Set house in order soon or Indian archers will play under world body flag, says Tom Dielen

Indian archers are under serious risk of competing under a neutral World Archery (WA) banner if the de-recognised national federation of the country (AAI) fails to set its house in order soon. International body’s secretary general Tom Dielen has warned that the international body was  against punishing the archers but described the ongoing crisis in the AAI as a concern ahead of the upcoming Olympic qualification tournaments.

The 2019 World Archery Championships, which is scheduled to start in June, will offer 24 berths to the top eight teams in both men’s and women’s sections. However, there will also be continental qualification tournament next year.

“The current status quo cannot continue indefinitely. At a certain moment we might have to decide that the athletes participate under a neutral World Archery banner. The matter of main concern is the upcoming Olympic qualification tournaments.

“At this stage, we’re are still enthusiastic that a resolution can be reached but this must happen soon. It’s our primary objective. If it does not happen, then further steps will be taken. But those steps will not be designed to punish athletes. However, it is a constitutional requirement that a well-governed member association is in place within a country,” the 50-year-old archer-turned-sports administrator told PTI in an interview from World Archery headquarters in Lausanne.

The AAI was de-recognised by the Indian government in December 2012 for violating the Sports Code. in August last year, the Delhi High Court appointed former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi as the administrator to get the constitution for the AAI drafted and hold fresh elections for the Indian body, but it has all gone stagnant.

The situation is so distracting that it has impacted the performances of Indian archers in international competitions. The recurve section has been on a decline since their impressive show at the New Delhi CWG back in 2010.

“It would be great to have an event, like the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final, in the country. Before that can happen, we need to make sure the proper governance is in place within the country.

“Issues that impact the team organisation cannot be beneficial for the athletes,” Dielen said as India are still in the pursuit of a first-ever Olympic medal. “It is only a matter of time until India wins an Olympic archery medal. Winning an Olympic medal in archery is not easy, but Indian athletes are talented enough to achieve a podium finish. It is simply a case of performing at the right time,” Dielen added.