Kalmadi to head AAAA

Jakarta: Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association IOA and Amateur Athletics Federation of India AAFI, was elected president of the Asian Amateur Athletic Association AAAA. Kalmadi, who will be the first Indian to head the AAAA, defeated Bob Hassan of Indonesia 19-15 with eight votes being declared invaild. Kalmadi, a former Union Minister, had visited 30 countries to lobby for support. He was quick to assert himself, 8220;I would like to see Asian athletics catch up with the world8217;s best.

In order to do that, I hope to organise more competitions like Grand Prix meets in Asia, I will ask for more funding from the IAAF.8221; Meanwhile, Sri Lanka was allotted the 14th Asian Athletic Championships, Nepal-the next Asian cross-country and Hong Kong-the Asian marathon.