The so-called 'winds of change' that swept through the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) last winter seemed to have come a full circle with the resignation of its chief executive Rajan Syal.
In a sudden development that, however, did not raise too many eyebrows, 60-year-old Syal, who was appointed in 2009, put in his papers Tuesday. But he has agreed to serve a notice period during which the FMSCI will look for a suitable replacement or decide whether or not to retain the post that was specially created five years ago.
"I just want to take a break and re-focus on my business and family. I have agreed to serve a notice period as there is plenty happening and I didn't want to just walk away."
"The five years have been a wonderful journey for me and I have no regrets. Of course, I wish the new administration the very best and hope that motorsport will continue to grow," said Syal in a chat with IANS here Wednesday.
Those in the know believe that Syal occupied a "throne of thorns" as the chief executive on whom the pressure was constant in view of the huge responsibility placed on him.
At the elections late last year that were eventually sorted out in the Madras High Court, Vicky Chandhok was replaced by J.Prithviraj from Coimbatore as the FMSCI president while a fresh set of council members too was elected.
The change of guard followed a year-long power tussle that eventually split the FMSCI down the middle with one section supporting Chandhok and the other set backed by Delhi-based JK Tyre that had felt slighted with the loss of the National championship status of its popular racing series.
Syal declined to go into various other issues that also contributed to his exit besides his self-confessed need to "take a break".
"The important thing is for the sport to carry on. We now have a new set of office-bearers and they have a lot of plans. And like I said earlier, I needed to take a step back.
"There might be some issues within the FMSCI, but I would rather they stay within its confines rather than be dragged into public domain. I wish the sport well and let's hope for good times," said Syal.
