West Bengal's Rathin Roy Choudhary has been made the ad hoc president of Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) in its Annual General Body Meeting here on Sunday.
Choudhary will hold the post at least till February 15 next year when Delhi High Court will give its orders on the validity of the VFI elections held in Chennai on April 11 last year.
The AGM on Sunday was marred by protests by "representatives of a few state associations" who were not allowed for the meeting.
The Delhi High Court in its order on April 27 this year validated the election for all posts of VFI's executive body except the president's. Incidentally, S. Vasudevan was elected the president then.
It is to be noted that the secretary general Ramavtar Singh Jakhar-faction of the VFI has got the recognition from the Indian Olympic Association and the sports ministry, after the High Court order. The Jakhar-faction also claims to have the support of majority of members.
The international body — International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) — though, is cautious. While insisting that it respects the Delhi High Court order, it maintained that the suspension of VFI still stays.
FIVB's letter on August 22 said: "The FIVB emphasises that the position of the president of VFI is currently vacant as the term of Kumar [Avadesh Choudhary] has expired by his own admission in July 2017. The FIVB is also aware of the petition before the Delhi High Court seeking recognition of the elections held in 2016 for the office of president. Consequently the office of president is the only vacant position among the VFI office-bearers."
"Summarising the circumstances, all of the relevant stakeholders in India recognises the above-mentioned office- bearers under the Indian law. Consequently the FIVB recognises that the above office-bearers are the current office-bearers of VFI under Indian law."
The international volleyball body further said once the office of president is filled in accordance with Indian law either by virtue of a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction or through an election duly called and properly held, the FIVB will provide the information to the FIVB Board of Administration for its consideration regarding the lifting of the provisional suspension.
After the differences surfaced between president and secretary, the Indian teams haven't taken part in major international tournaments.
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