The AFI yesterday removed a contentious clause from its constitution regarding the election of its president and secretary under the Sports Ministry's directive and a top AFI official told PTI that it was able to go ahead with the ammendment because of the backing of the IAAF.
The federation had the support of none other than the president of International Association of Athletics Federation Lamine Diack, who was here on Saturday for the Asian Athletics Asociation (AAA) Executive Council meeting at Gurgaon.
Diack attended the meeting which was chaired by AAA president and scam-tainted Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Comminttee chairman Suresh Kalmadi.
"We had a lengthy discussion with Lamine Diack and he said the IAAF had no issues as long as we were taking decisions voluntarily. We voluntarily deleted the clause in the constitution. The Sports Ministry made a request following a court case asking if we can see to it and amend the constitution," the official said.
"We sent out proforma to all the state units and member boards. Barring two, all the units agreed to delete the clause. So, we had called a Special General Body Meeting to delete the clause," he added.
In the aftermath of the ban imposed on India, the International Olympic Committee had asked the international federations to ensure that the NSFs in India were enjoying autonomy and not being interfered by the government in their functioning. MORE