Kalmadi, Randhir Singh should reign

Barring last minute developments, elections to top posts in the Indian Olympic Association on Friday should be unanimous, with Suresh Kalmadi and Randhir Singh getting re-elected as president and secretary-general respectively.

Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa is expected to attend the annual general body meeting in Delhi.

Unlike previous elections, when rival contenders flew potential voters to the venue and put them up in five-star hotels, Friday's AGM will be at the IOA headquarters at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

There was some talk of Abhay Singh Chautala, son of Haryana chief minister and president of the Haryana Olympic Association, throwing his hat into the ring. But Chautala is believed to have written to affiliated units of the IOA stressing the need for unity and expressed support to Kalmadi and Randhir.

Even if Chautala changes his mind and there is an election, Kalmadi should win with backing from his predecessor B Sivanthi Adityan, who he defeated in the last election in Bangalore.

Other items on the agenda include Punjab and Andhra Pradesh's presentation of its readiness to host the National Games in March 2001 and 2002 respectively.

There will also be a review of preparations for hosting the first Afro-Asian Games in Delhi a year from now.

The AGM will also be briefed on India's bid for the 2006 Asian Games at Pusan (South Korea) later this month.

The chef-de-mission's Sydney 2000 Olympics report, however, does not figure on the agenda as detailed reports from managers of different teams have yet to come in, according to IOA sources.