Auranachal Olympic body extends support to Randhir

The battle to grab power in the IOA has already intensified with the camps of Abhay Singh Chautala and present IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh, the two aspirants for the president's post, extending their support and taking pot shots at their opponents.

"Considering your vast experience in the field of sports administration as well as a sportsman in the National and International level and your tireless endeavour for promotion of Olympic movement in the country, the Arunachal Pradesh State Olympic Association extends its full support to you in the election for the President post of the Indian Olympic Association to the held on 25th Nov 2012 and wish to confirm the same post," APSOA president Padi Richo said in a statement.

While Randhir has appealed to the members to rise above 'petty politics', the Chautala camp has been constantly reminding Randhir why he went back on his word that he will not contest elections.

The International Olympic Committee had said it will "closely monitor" the elections in the wake of its Ethics Commission barring tainted Suresh Kalmadi and his two close aides from contesting the polls.

The IOC's decision had come just a couple of weeks before what is likely to be a closely contested fight for the top job.