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Sports code: Golf body calls June meeting to fall in line
Indian Golf Union has called for an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) in the first week of June to ring in change in its constitution.The move seems to have been hastened by the latest missive from the sports ministry dated April 20.
Relentless pressure by the sports ministry on the now-derecognised Indian Golf Union (IGU) to hold elections and amend its constitution to be compliant with the National Sports Code appears to be bearing fruit.
At a Council meeting here on April 23 to “discuss the amendment of rules and other pending matters”, IGU has called for an EGM in the first week of June to ring in change. The move seems to have been hastened by the latest missive from the ministry dated April 20.
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It states, “In continuation of the letter dated 28 March (informing that recognition was being withdrawn for lack of compliance), since the term of the president of IGU (Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit (retd)) ended long back, the next elected person viz. honorary secretary (Lt Gen AKS Chandele (retd)) may assume the charge of the president immediately and take steps to hold the election for the post of president and shall also take steps for amending the constitution of IGU to be fully compliant with the provisions of the Sports Code.”
The ministry’s directive wasn’t followed at the Council meeting and the leadership remains unchanged. Aparajit said: “It was decided by the Council that the ministry has no powers to interfere in the election process of a NSF (national sports federation). However, as per requirements of the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) and ministry, rules will be amended at the EGM and soon after there will be a change in leadership on that day itself”.
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Aparajit reiterated IGU’s stand that “the AGM could not be held as the Delhi high court has restrained elections (on the issue of affiliation to the Tamil Nadu state unit) and the matter was informed to the ministry”, which he claimed has been given a copy of the draft constitution.
The ministry’s letter comes on the heels of the email Chandele circulated to Council members earlier this month, demanding the president step down. In his reply, Aparajit said “IGU rules and regulations obligate me to continue till such time the AGM and elections are held”.
