Kalmadi unanimously
re-elected IOA chief

Rajya Sabha member Suresh Kalmadi was on Friday unanimously re-elected president of the Indian Olympic Association belying all hype of a bitter contest at the annual general body meeting of the country's apex sports body.

Authorised to nominate his team, Kalmadi immediately got down to business by re-appointing Randhir Singh and Raj Chopra to the two important posts of secretary-general and treasurer respectively, and inducting fresh blood to at least half the posts.

Only five of the 12 vice-presidents -- Vijay Kumar Malhotra, J S Gehlot, P R Dasmunshi, Vidya Stokes and G S Mander -- were retained. The newcomers were Abhay Singh Chautala, Digvijay Singh, M C Chowhan, V D Nanavati, Avinash Kohli, K Murugan and Ashok Kumar Mattoo.

In recognition of their long and dedicated service to sports, former IOC vice-president Ashwini Kumar, who retires from membership of the International Olympic Committee next month, and former IOA chief B Sivanthi Adityan were made life presidents of the apex body.

Immediately after starting his second innings at the helm, Kalmadi exhorted sports federations to produce results.