RFI Secretary opposes to re-election after IOA threatening

Girish J Phandis, Rowing Federation of India (RFI) Secretary has opposed to re-election, days after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) threatened to form an ad-hoc committee to run the federation. According to a report in the New Indian Express, Phandis has written a letter to election officer K Ramu, asking him to not proceed with re-election.

In the letter, Phandis mentioned about the big issues noticed in the election process, starting from the names in Electoral College of RFI.

“There are a great many issues that have been noticed in the election process starting from the notice to the names in the Electoral College of RFI. I would not wish to go through the same at this point till clarity is obtained from Ministry/Secretary Sports/IOA of the status of this nomination and election process which is flawed. As of this time, I shall await instruction as we have once again gone against the very essence of good governance by you declaring the Electoral College,” the letter said.

Responding to Phandis' concerns, the election officer called them vague.

“Till 4th, you never raised any objections to the election process. Now suddenly you have started making unwarranted statements and without reasons, stated it is flawed. It is rather strange on your part to now make allegations belatedly with some motives.

This is really unfortunate on your part to say the least,” Ramu said.

Notably, in the previous election, Phandis had contested for the post of president. He, however, continued as secretary general after the elections were nullified.

Earlier, the IOA had threatened to take over the RFI after they objected to their voting pattern and for not following the sports code.