Goa Olympic Association on a bumpy electoral ride?

Sports in Goa seems to be going through the proverbial syndrome of ,”you scratch my back , I scratch yours”. If not during selections, it happens during voting time. Carrying the proverbial horse to the water is the Goa Olympic Association (GOA). Perhaps not . But , there are elements who are disgruntled. Sandeep Heble is one of them. He has shot- off a letter to  Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar  accusing general secretary Gurudatta  Bhakta of violating fundamental rules whilst preparing to hold  elections on July 7.

 There are no dates fixed to file nominations nor has a returning officer been fixed. No nomination forms have been sent nor has a list of members been circulated, as per the notice sent to the president/secretary of state sports affiliated associations, Goa by Gurudatta.

“Everything is done under unanimity. The elections have been very homogenous for the last twenty five years. We are adhering to the constitution,” states GOA general secretary Gurudatta  Bhakta. “ I do not know whether I will stand or not. Who stands will be unanimously decided on the day of the meeting,” insisted Gurudutta.

Ironically, the  copy of the guidelines to hold elections issued by the Government of India states: “Elections to sports bodies should be governed by clear , transparent  and fair rules which in our views should include a clean electoral roll known to the public in advance, an independent returning officer and secret ballot”.

“ We are following the IOA guidelines. The GOA constitution needs to be amended  for us to follow the guidelines issued by the Government of India. I have no problem with that. But , I as an individual cannot amend the constitution alone,” laments Gurudatta Bhakta.

“Although  I have my differences with Gurudatta, we tend to resolve them amicably. When one is the general secretary of GOA , one needs time. Gurudatta  has the time and he is doing the best he can,” asserts Vero Nunes ,president of the Goa Table Tennis Association (GTTA).

“ The IOC has come out with new guidelines in regards to elections. If the general secretary of GOA is standing for elections then I am sure a retuning officer will be appointed. I do not know who is standing for elections “, retorted Lenny Gama of the Goa Boxing Association (GBA).

“ As I have said, elections were always held in a cordial atmosphere. A returning officer was never appointed prior to the election. Even nominations for various posts were done during the meeting.” asserted Gurudatta.

When it comes to elections to the council the GOA constitution states,” The names of  such (proposed candidates for elections) ,if any, shall be communicated by  the member club in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary General  eight days before the date of the general  meeting  at which the election is to take place.”

Maybe , the elections to the GOA were not a bumpy ride before. But , times are changing. Perhaps it is time for the GOA to ring in the changes before the bells toll for those trying to muscle out, those trying to move in.