State Association plays very important role for the upliftment of Sports as they are the foundations of the pyramid of Athletics. All this can be done if fair and competent Sports Administrators are representing the State in the National bodies. Ministry of Sports is making constant efforts at the apex level but somewhere down the line there is a need to change as UP state athletes are suffering due to non competent office bearers are holding the office for the last 25-30 years.
UP Athletics Association Office bearers are Mr. P.K.Srivastava (who is also Director in the secretariat of erstwhile Chairman of CWG Delhi2010) and Mr. Kripal Singh who have been Secretary & President for the last 20-25 years and have not contributed enough in uplifting thestandard of Athletics in UP. It is primarily because they do not allow any other office bearer to join the body. This is also in the knowledge of the parent body i.e. Athletics Federation of India and enough complaints have been written to them but they are silent and are not interested in conducting fair elections in all other states including UP. It is evident that many state bodies such as Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and many others have parallel bodies at state level. AFI do not permit any other person to come forward so that it don’t have any competition/opposition and purposely AFI don’t recognize the new bodies even if they are recognized by their respective State Olympic Associations.
In the past, UP Athletics Association have been conducting the elections in a very unfair manner by secretly issuing notices in back date, no election officer is appointed and many members who oppose them are not communicated of the AGM so much so the observer also onpersonal choice.
This year the elections are due and it is also been learned that he also doesn’t circulate the minutes of the meeting to any member. In addition to this, the voting in the past has been by show of hands only and not on ballet paper, as required under the bylaws of UPAA.The athletes of UP are suffering so much so they have raised their voice in asking for certificates, prize money etc. but has not beengiven yet, it is due to his presence and involvement in CWG . It is pleaded that we all must work towards improvement of UP and also ensure that the election should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner by giving 21 days notice and acknowledged by each member.
The misdeeds of Secretary, UPAA have also been intimated to Joint Secretary, MYA&S as well as Athletics Federation of India and Registrar of Societies which is enclosed for appropriate action.
“Let us all work collectively for the improvement and development of Athletes and Athletics.”
