NEW DELHI, Dec 14: International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief Narinder Batra was today elected as president of the Indian Olympic Association for a four-year term by an overwhelming majority in the polls held at its Annual General Meeting here.
The 60-year-old Batra secured 142 votes while his rival Anil Khanna got 13 in the two-way contest.
His election to the top post was rendered a formality after Khanna, a former All India Tennis Association president, withdrew from the contest in a surprised move. But there was an election for the president�s post as Khanna sent the withdrawal letter to the IOA-appointed Election Commission after the stipulated deadline of December 3.
Incumbent Secretary General Rajeev Mehta was re-elected for his second term without any contest as he was the lone candidate for the post.
Batra will thus become one of the few sports administrators who heads an important international federation as well as a National Olympic Committee.
Meanwhile, Anandeshwar Pandey was elected as treasurer, while RK Anand defeated JS Gehlot by 96 votes to 35 for the post of senior vice president.
The election results will however be subject to the final decision of the Delhi High Court, which yesterday refused to stay the polls on a petition filed by lawyer Rahul Mehra.
Just after winning the election, Batra said that he would take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2026 Commonwealth Games.
�I am yet to take over as the IOA President. But once I settle down, the IOA will take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2026 CWG. We should think big but hosting these Games depends on government as it is the government which will sanction the funds,� he told a press conference.
�The IOA hopes to work with the government in a conducive atmosphere. We want to have a good relation with the government but at the same time, the government will also have to draw the line (upto where it can go),� he added.
Assam�s Birendra Prasad Baishya who is the president of Weightlifting Federation of India has been elected as vice-president. � Agencies