Sports bodies protest MOA voting rights denial

Several sports organisations representing wrestling, kabaddi, taekwondo, boxing, handball and others launched a protest near Bund Garden Police Station from Tuesday after being denied voting rights in the Maharashtra Olympic Association’s (MOA) five-yearly elections.

- Shubham Kurale

Officebearers of the organisations, along with national and international athletes, began a hunger strike outside the MOA office, accusing general secretary Namdev Shirgaonkar of arbitrary administration.

Leaders join protest

Maharashtra Rajya Kustigir Sangh president and former MP Ramdas Tadas, working president Sandip Bhondve, general secretary Yogesh Dodke, International Wrestling umpire Vilas Kathure, Karate Association of Maharashtra president Salahuddin Ansari, secretary Sandeep Gade and Sports Coordination Committee (Maharashtra) State president Latendra Bhingare were among those present. Tadas said, “The general secretary of MOA is trying to end the game from Maharashtra by not letting us vote in the elections. Our main demand is that all sports organisations should get the right to vote. And if a decision is not taken in this regard in the meeting on Sep 25, we will protest along with players across the state from Sep 27.”

Dispute over recognition