Statement on Executive Board decision regarding India on 17 June 2019

World Archery’s executive board met on 14 June 2019 to issue a decision on the status of the Indian Archery Association following on-going issues with its governance.

The extraordinary meeting studied a report on the situation from mediator and World Archery Asia first vice president Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol, reports from two elections held at the start of June and previous correspondence.

The board found sufficient evidence that the Indian Archery Association was in breach of articles 1.4.2.4 and 1.4.2.5.1 of World Archery’s constitution and rules.

It confirmed that the elections that took place recently were not deemed valid by World Archery and none of the officers considered legal representatives of the Indian Archery Association.

The board decided that Indian athletes would be permitted to compete at the fourth stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Berlin, the test event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the 2019 World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid.

The final entry deadline for the first two events has already passed. Entries for the latter will only be accepted from a selection commission that includes representatives of the national sports ministry and Indian Olympic Association.

A clear pathway forward was also defined.

The situation will be re-examined at the end of July, by which the Honourable Supreme Court is expected to issue a further decision on the legal status of the Indian federation. 

At this stage, if no clear resolution is reached, then the Indian Archery Association will be suspended. This would prevent Indian archers from competing at any events. A transitional committee would then be established to oversee a single recognised election.

World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen said: “It is imperative we find a resolution to this situation within the Indian federation without delay.”

“India just qualified a full men’s team to Tokyo 2020. The archers deserve to be celebrating that achievement in a positive environment that is focused on maximising performance at the next Olympic Games.”