Lok Sabha Question No. 75 (STARRED), answered on 2019-02-07
Subject: Archery Association of India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: G. HARI

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO . 75 TO BE ANSWERD ON 07.02.2019

## Archery Association of India

*75. SHRI G. HARI:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  be  pleased  to state:

(a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  World  Archery  Federation  has threatened to suspend  the Indian Archery Federation/Archery Association of India over the outcome of the elections held recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent such eventuality?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [COL . RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD . )]

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 75 FOR REPLY ON 07.02.2019 ASKED BY SHRI G. HARI REGARDING ARCHERY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

- (a)& (b) As  per  email  dated  16.01.2019  from  World  Archery Federation, addressed to the newly elected president of the Archery Association of India (AAI) they had, inter-alia, noted that the World Archery Executive Board cannot accept the outcome of the General Assembly held on the 22 nd  December, 2018 and the election of the President and the rest of the Board since the constitution used to conduct  the  elections  was  never  formally  approved  and  only accepted  by  the  Returning  Officer.  They  had  also  asked  for  full minutes of the General Assembly of AAI for verification of the matter and informed that the World Archery Executive Board would take a decision  on  the  possible  suspension  of  AAI  after  receipt  of  the minutes.

Subsequently,  however,  Mr.  Tom  Dielen,  Secretary  General, World Archery Federation, vide his email dated 23.01.2019, addressed to Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Department of Sports, sought certain clarifications relating to the governance of  the  Archery  Association  of  India  and  especially  to decide what to do with the outcome of the elections held on the 22nd December 2018 and apprised that World Archery will take the time  necessary  to  come  with  a  decision  on  the  validity  of  the elections.

- (c) The matter of governance of AAI is sub-judice in the Hon'ble Supreme  Court  of  India.  The  entire  election  process,  including revision of the constitution of the AAI, has been undertaken under the  directions  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India,  by  a  duly appointed Administrator.

Further, sports governance, both at the National and international level operates in an autonomous environment and the Government has no direct role in matters relating to affiliation of National  Sports  Federations  by  their  concerned  World/continental bodies.  Such  matters  are  governed  by  the  guidelines  of  the concerned world/continental body. Thus, in order to obtain and/or continue the affiliation of the World Archery Federation, AAI has to fulfill the conditions laid down by the World body.

However,  in  response  to  the  email  dated  23.01.2019  from Secretary General, World Archery Federation, as mentioned in para

(a) & (b) above, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Department of Sports has apprised him of the factual situation and informed him that  the  Government  is  taking  all  necessary  steps  to  resolve  all critical issues that may adversely affect players' interests. Secretary General, World Archery Federation, has acknowledged receipt of the reply of the Government.

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