International body asks Gymnastics Federation of India to get electoral college approved by IOA
International Gymnastics Federation has asked the Gymnastics Federation of India (GIF) to get its electoral college approved for the November 3 elections by the Indian Olympic Association. The GFI has been involved in disputes with rival groups claiming the right to run the sport in the country.
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has asked the sport’s Indian governing body, the Gymnastics Federation of India (GIF) to get its electoral college approved for the November 3 elections by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The FIG said that the electoral college prepared by the GFI will need its final approval but it will do so if vetted through the IOA.
“In view of the upcoming elections of GFI authorities on November 3, 2019, and in order to ensure full coordination between GFI, Indian NOC and FIG to resolve the situation smoothly, we ask you to send rapidly the list of electoral college to the NOC president [with a copy to FIG] for prior consideration and approval,” FIG Secretary General Nicolas Buompane wrote in a letter to GFI president Sudhakar Shetty, reported PTI.
The letter also said, “The electoral college will be definitively confirmed once approved by the NOC president and by the FIG.”
The FIG said that it intends to send a representative to the electoral college “to assist your national federation in this process and to supervise the elections”. It also hopes that the elections will resolve all the disputes and “allow the GFI to resume its daily work in favour of the gymnasts and the development of gymnastics.”
GFI has been involved in disputes for some time with rival groups claiming the right to run the sport in the country. The faction led by Sudhakar Shetty is recognised by the international body but does not have the Sports Ministry’s recognition.