World Archery warns India archers about suspension

The Indian archery contingent will be forced to compete under the flag of the World Archery body instead of the Indian tri-colour at the upcoming World Championships in the Netherlands under the flag of World Archery. This comes after the world governing body with two warring factions of the Archery Association of India (AAI) go ahead with their respective proposed elections on June 9.

The World Archery association will immediately declare the outcome of any such electoral process "null and void" upon receipt of the notification of elections and an "immediate suspension" of the AAI will be authorised by the world body's executive board.

"World Archery and World Archery Asia have strong reservations to the fact that on June 9, in two quite distinct locations, an election will be held which could result in two presidents and boards. Not only does this contravene any type of good governance, it is simply violating any democratic rule since not all officially mandated delegates can be in two locations at the same time. It's therefore both the World Archery and World Archery Asia's position that should such dual elections take place, the results will not be recognised for either election by World Archery.

"If the two elections will go ahead, it will result in an immediate suspension of the AAI. This would mean that the Indian team competing at the World Championships would only be able to compete under a World Archery flag and not the Indian flag," World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen said in an official statement.