Malhotra had proposed Kalmadi as IOA Chief

NEW DELHI: BJP leader V K Malhotra had proposed name of Suresh Kalmadi for his re-election as the President of Indian Olympic Association in 2008 because of "excellent services" rendered by him as Chairman Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games, minutes of IOA annual general meeting (AGM) show.

Malhotra, who is the President of Archery Association of India, had also proposed in the meeting held on October 10, 2008 to "authorise" Kalmadi to select members of Executive Council of the Association, the minutes of the meeting received in an RTI reply reveal.

In return Kalmadi proposed the name of Malhotra as Senior Vice President of the sports body and both of them were elected unanimously for a period of four years in the meeting, the reply accessed by activist S C Agrawal shows.

Several allegations of corruption surfaced during the conduct of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in which CBI has registered three cases against officials of Kalmadi-led Organising Committee. The agency has also arrested three officials of the Organising Committee of CWG on graft charges.

"While applauding the excellent services rendered by Mr Suresh Kalmadi as the President of the IOA and Chairman, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 he (Malhotra) proposed the re-election of Suresh Kalmadi as President Indian Olympic Association," the minutes say.

The documents also show that the proposal of Malhotra was seconded by Randhir Singh, Secretary General and the "house was unanimous" on the issue.

Malhotra had also proposed to increase the number of Vice-Presidents from 12 to 16 and Joint Secretaries from six to eight to provide "representation to more National Federations and State Olympic Associations", the minutes show.

During the elections held in the meeting Kalmadi had also proposed the name of Randhir Singh and A K Mattoo as Secretary General and Treasurer respectively for a period of four years which was accepted "unanimously" by the sport body.

The BJP leader appreciated the performance of Indian athletes in Beijing Olympic Games and congratulated the House in general and "specially, the President of IOA (Suresh Kalmadi) for their commendable and relentless efforts to get support for the national federations from the Government."

India has won three medals in the Beijing Olympics which included one gold and two bronze medals in wrestling and boxing respectively.