Raninder Singh re-elected as NRAI president for the fourth time


Raninder Singh re-elected as NRAI president for the fourth time

Raninder Singh

Raninder Singh was re-elected as the president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for his fourth term on Saturday. Singh beat BSP MP Shyam Singh Yadav,  president of the Uttar Pradesh State Rifle Association, 56-3 in the elections. Kanwar Sultan Singh was elected unopposed as the secretary-general of the governing body, while Randeep Mann has been made the treasurer.

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Pawan Kumar Singh and Sheila Kanungo will remain the apex body’s joint secretary after both were elected unopposed. Odisha MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo will remain the federation’s senior vice-president besides the eight vice-presidents. The elections were held at the IS Bindra Stadium.

“This election was not about the chair,” Raninder Singh

Raninder Singh
Raninder Singh

The NRAI decided to go ahead with the polls despite the impediments it faced after the petition filed by challenger Yadav in the Delhi High Court. The national shooting body conducted the election as there was no stay order on it from the court. In his petition, Yadav cited “perceptible conflict of interest” in the appointment of the returning officer for the polls, Mehtab Singh Gill.

This election was not about the chair but about its basic capability to be autonomous, yet at the same time not be violative of the national sports code which we genuinely welcome and voluntarily follow.

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Indeed, the strength the Code provides us has and will continue to support us in presenting clarity and strength to discharge our duty to the sport and its athletes. But more importantly, not allow shadowy mentors of dubious challengers to politicise,” Raninder said in a statement.

A total of eight vice-presidents were elected which included Ajay H. Patel, Amit Sanghi, Ashok J.Pandit, Ashok Mittal, John Kharshiing, Putul Kumari, Sushma Singh and Verinder Kumar Dhall. For the post of honorary secretary, Susheel, Ishwar Rohal, Kumar Tripurari Singh, Meghasham Shripad Bhangle, Moirangthem R. Singh and R.Ravikrishnan were also elected unopposed.

A total of 16 governing body members were also elected. The elections were conducted by Returning Officer Justice (retd) Mehtab Singh Gill as well as Additional Returning Officer Justice (retd) Inderjeet Singh Walia. Former world No.1 trap shooter and Olympian Ronjan Sodhi was also a part of the election process as an “eminent sportsperson observer”.

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