Ajit Pal named chef de mission

By nominating hockey Olympian Ajit Pal Singh as chef de mission of the Indian contingent for the London Games, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has put an end to the four-month long controversy, which showed the apex body in poor light.

By nominating hockey Olympian Ajit Pal Singh as chef de mission of the Indian contingent for the London Games, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has put an end to the four-month long controversy, which showed the apex body in poor light.

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On Monday, after a brainstorming session, the seven-member IOA panel concurred to pick the former India hockey skipper for the coveted job, ignoring IOA vice-president, Tarlochan Singh, and Weightlifting Federation of India chief, BP Baishya, who were the frontrunners for the post.

The seven members of the committee, apart from acting president, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, and secretary general, Randhir Singh, comprised of Jagdish Tytler, Anil Khanna, Abhay Chautala, Akhilesh Das and G Raghunathan.

Malhotra said it was a unanimous decision. "The committee was of the view that an Olympian should head the Indian contingent," he added.

In the past, the IOA had considered sports administrators for the job, but for the first time a sportsperson has been given the honour of heading the contingent in the Olympic Games.

Despite missing out, Tarlochan and Baishya's London dreams are not over as they will go to the mega event as delegate and observer.