The newly-elected executive committee of the Maharashtra Athletics Association (MAA) has created a record of sorts having as many as five Olympians in its panel besides several former international athletes. If experts are to be believed it augurs well for the future of state athletics.
Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Adille J Sumariwalla, who had represented the country in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, has been retained as the president of the association.
Sumariwalla, who is also the president of the Athletics Federation of India, while addressing the media after completion of the election of the association for the year 2O20-2024, stated that it’s a historical moment for the Indian sport having 5 Olympians and several international athletes nominated to the post of chairperson of various sub-committees of the MAA.
The vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), also stated that by virtue of being the chairperson of the committees they will be the integral part of the executive committee of the association. MAA is the only state association having five Olympians in the executive committee in the country. The focus is on development of athletics throughout Maharashtra.
Besides the president, other Olympians who will be part of the executive panel are Olympian Kavita Raut, chairperson of Athletes Commission, Olympian Lalita Babar, chairperson of disciplinary committee, Olympian Rachita Mistry, chairperson of women committee, and Olympian Anand Menezes, chairman of marathon and road races committee.
International athlete and Asian medallist Homiyar Mistry will be the chairman of selection committee. International athlete Sharad Suryawanshi of Nagpur will be the senior joint secretary.
National athlete, Level 2 Coaching Diploma of World Athletics and coach of the Indian team to Sri Lanka Rajeev Joshi will be the chairman of the planning and coaching committee.
National athlete Sanjay Patil will be one of the vice-presidents. lnternational official and convenor of technical committee of AFI Satish Uchile will continue as general secretary.
