Rana Sodhi denies split in SFICHANDIGARH, June 27:Newly elected president of Softball Federation of India Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi today categorically denied that there was any split in the federation. "It is a complete body. Elections held in the 37th annual general body meeting held in UT Guest House in Chandigarh on June 24 were legitimate and genuine as secretaries from 22 States and Union Territories and other authorized representative attended the AGM," said Sodhi, who is also president of the Chandigarh Olympic Association.
When his attention was drawn that Prem Singh Bajore had claimed that executive committee of the SFI was held in New Delhi the same day when elections and executive Committee meeting were held in Chandigarh, Sodhi said "it was a one-man affair."
Asked whether he had contacted Prem Singh Bajore, who is Member of Parliament, Sodhi said that he would talk to him on this issue .
"We have informed the apex sports body of the country about the SFI elections which were unanimous and conducted according to the guidelines of the constitution. Proper notices were given to all affiliated units. Immediately after the elections were conducted, I spoke to IOA secretary general Raja Randhir Singh and Dr Lalit Bhanot," Sodhi told scribes.
Praveen Anaokar of Madhya Pradesh and Surat Singh Kalet of Himachal Pradesh were also unanimously elected secretary general and treasurer, respectively. Former SFI Acting Secretary Roop Lal Sharma, who is also secretary of Chandigarh Softball Association, is chairman of the SFI.
Rana Sodhi said that the remaining office-bearers would be nominated after the Beijing Olympics. The SFI will also former various committees and sub-committees and "representation will be given to all states and Union Territories."
Former Punjab Sports Minister Sodhi said "affiliation from the IOA will be our priority. The SFI will request the IOA to immediately grant provisional affiliation so that students seeking admission from sports quota seats should get benefit."
Sodhi said that besides taking the game to the grass root level, the SFI would also organize nationals and all open tournaments. The sports calendar would also be prepared. "The players will be provided enough exposure by sending them abroad and also inviting foreign teams for competitions," said Sodhi.
Manipur will conduct the Junior Nationals in October and Sub-Junior Nationals will be conducted in Orissa. Secretaries of these states, who were also present, stood up to confirm organizing of these nationals by their respective states.