Cuttack: For the third consecutive time Samir Dey of BJP was elected unopposed as the President of Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) for four more years today when two other presidential aspirants withdrew their papers ahead of the September 30 elections.
In fact the election now becomes redundant like in 2008 and in 2012 as all the 22 members of the Council, including the General Secretary, were elected unopposed.
Even though, Ashirbad Behera was kept away from the affairs of OOA following a nudge from the Supreme Court, today's development once again goes on to prove that he still maintains his influence in the highest sporting body of the state that owns the Barabati Stadium and provides grants to all sporting units of Odisha.
Also Read:Asirbad to stay away from OOA post till July 13: SC
Like Dey, who represents the gymnastic association of the state, M A Alam of Cuttack district athletic association was elected unopposed as the general secretary of OOA, the post which was occupied by Behera since September 2000 till June this year when he stepped down following the apex court suggestion on a question of "conflict of interest" in a pending land acquisition case pertaining to Barabati stadium.
At least five had filed nomination papers for a single post of general secretary, 12 had filed for six posts of vice presidents, five aspirants were there for two posts of joint secretaries, three for a single post of treasurer and 19 were aspiring for the 11 posts of council members.