The FIVB has again stepped in to try to rectify a diminishing situation in the Indian volleyball world. The FIVB upheld its suspension of the Volleyball Federation of India and demanded new elections be held to try to alleviate the ongoing drama between two factions in the country.
The FIVB provisionally suspended the VFI in December as the dispute between factions continued. Elections were held in April 2016, but the results had been blocked. Nearly a year later, the Delhi High Court permitted release of the results, except for that of the position of president.
That made Ramavtar Singh Jakhar the Secretary General of the VFI and also approved the election of several vice presidents and secretaries as well.
However, the FIVB is denying those results in its latest statement and demanding a new election.
“It is the FIVB’s understanding that the election results released on April 27, 2017, merely dealt with provisional elections conducted by the Volleyball Federation of India led by Mr. Singh Jakhar designed to fill positions until the conclusion of the office bearers’ terms in 2017,” the letter stated. “Additionally the determination of the President is still pending. Consequently, elections must be conducted in 2017.”
“Elections should be conducted in July 2017 to determine the office bearers of the VFI for the 2017-2021 term. The procedures for this election shall be conducted in accordance with terms agreed upon by the parties with a duly-appointed FIVB representative.”
The FIVB went on to state that the suspension will be in place until elections are conducted and any teams from India will compete under the FIVB flag due to Article 16.2 of the disciplinary regulations until the suspension is lifted.
While the FIVB has stated its case and demands, the VFI seems unwilling to relent. Jakhar has stated that since the Delhi High Court approved the election results, the FIVB is out of its jurisdiction to overrule it.
“We are all citizens of India and have to abide by the law of the land,” Jakhar said. “I don’t know how FIVB can come and tell us to disregard that. It is a difficult situation for us and I am consulting lawyers.”
In the face of all of the election results, one of the original parties that had expressed disapproval of the VFI and some of its officials, former India captain Tom Joseph, has chimed in on the issues and its effect on the countries teams.
“It is really sad, what’s going on,” Joseph said. “Not so long ago, the future of Indian volley looked bright and we came within a shout of qualifying for the Olympics. But now, the future of world class players is going to be wasted.”
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