Split in athletic body affects budding players

Sources quote three main reasons behind the split-up: personal gains, ego problems and vest interests. Though each factions claims that it will direct its energies towards promoting the sport, the manner in which the units have elected their office-bearers, however, leaves a question mark on that assertion. Each unit asserts that it enjoys majority support, and terms the rival as "bogus".

When questioned about the City’s weak athletic scenario and his plans to improve it, Gurdip Singh Sandhu said that it was too early to comment. But he was quick to reiterate that once things are sorted out with the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI), his unit would revive athletic at the grassroot level. He also informed that 26 affiliated units participated in the annual body general meeting. His secretary, Shangara Singh accuses certain members of the Milkha Singh faction of financial irregularities, which are denied by the latter.

Meanwhile Milkha Singh, who is president of the rival body, was quite perturbed over the entire affair. “How can they hold a meeting without the president’s consent?” he asked. “The meeting held by Shangara Singh is illegal. It was not attended either by the AAFI or the Chandigarh Sports Council (CSC) observers and is against the constitution (AAAC),” he asserted.

The AAAC annual general body meeting, scheduled for December 1997, was not held. The AAAC members say that though they apprised the president many times, there was no response from him. “I had told the president to hold the meeting to discuss important issues, but it was postponed time and again,” said Shangara Singh.

Interestingly, both the units had approached the CSC and AAFI to send their observer. But, both CSC and the AAFI ignored the meeting held by Shangara Singh, allegedly for reasons best known to them. “Twice, I faxed a message to the AAFI, and also informed the CSC. Yet they did not attend our meeting,” alleged Shangara Singh.

According to a press note issued by unit president Milkha Singh, R.S Joshua and V.P Goswamy from the AAFI and Inder Pal Singh, assistant secretary, CSC, had attended the meeting. However, the coming months will be a litmus test for both the units.

Sources allege that the manner in which the elections were held also puts a doubt on the creditability of both the units. D.S Bedi, who admitted that he did not attend the Milkha Singh group’s meeting, was still nominated as the unit’s vice-president. “I have close relations with Milkha Singh and his family,” justified Bedi, who is also the chief patron of the Shangara Singh group. Similarly, another person who did not attend the meeting was given a key post (treasurer), source said.

Reportedly, the other faction also did the same. Principal of DAV College, Sector 10, did not attend any meeting, but his name figured among the list of office-bearers. “I was not present at the meeting. But, I was informed of the result by Shangara Singh on the phone later,” said R.C Jeevan, principal, DAV-10. He was nominated as senior vice-president.

Even Sneh Mahajan, principal, MCM DAV, Sector-36, said that she was not present at the meeting. “I do not know how my name figured in the list of office bearers,” said a surprised Mahajan, who was nominated as vice-president (Shangara Singh group).

Incidentally, MCM DAV-36 is one of the colleges that was recently given AAAC affiliation. “We have to become a member of the association in the interest of the college,” said Balwinder Sahota, head of the physical education department, MCM DAV.

Likewise, heads of other institutions, whose contribution towards athletics had been negligible, were allegedly `goaded’ into exercising their franchise and in return were given key posts.