Archery Association of India President Vijay Kumar Malhotra today said that the body is not too bothered about the absence of Government recognition as the World Archery Federation (FITA) recognises it and slammed the Sports Ministry for practising "double standards".
"We have the full recognition of the international body, FITA and we are holding all the tournaments (national and ranking) as it is.
"In fact, we will also be participating in almost all the international competitions (about 12-13) under the Indian flag this year. So Government's recognition or derecognition doesn't matter much," said Malhotra after the AAI's Executive Committee meeting here.
The 81-year-old Malhotra also emphasised that earlier the government used to finance some of the tournaments but now AAI has been financing the national, junior, sub-junior and ranking tournaments itself.
"As far as international tournaments are concerned, the government directly gives money to the archers. Otherwise all the national and ranking tournaments we are financing."
Slamming the government for exercising double standards, Malhotra said while the Sports Ministry recognises him as the chief of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), it does not want to acknowledge him as the President of the AAI.
"It is a very complicated and confusing situation," said Malhotra.
"The government recognises me as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) but does not want to recognise me as the chief when it comes of the AAI, citing age and tenure restrictions. Whereas FITA does not have any bar on the age and tenure guidelines," he added.
The Sports Ministry had de-recognised the AAI in December last year after the association failed to conform to the Sports Code of the Government of India while holding its election.
The President-elect of the AAI has served for more than three consecutive terms in the past and is also above the age of 70 years.
