Indian NOC Stages Elections; Sheikh Ahmad Thanks Kuwait; Puerto Rico Makes History

India Goes Ahead with Elections

Less than 24 hours after being suspended by the IOC and having its future elections declared "null and void", the Indian Olympic Association proceeded with balloting on Wednesday.

The scandal-plagued Lalit Bhanot was unopposed for secretary general, despite going to prison for corruption related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and Abhay Singh Chautala was also unchallenged for president.

Outgoing president VK Malhotra explained the IOA decision.

"We had been ordered by the Delhi High Court to follow the government's sports code in the elections, and we have done that," he told reporters.

"We can't go against the law of the land."

Sheikh Ahmad Thanks Amir

Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah thanked the Amir of Kuwait for amending a sports law preventing the Kuwait National Olympic Committee’s suspension.

In a statement to the Kuwait news agency KUNA, Sheikh Ahmad thanked Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his work to "spare the national sports international suspension and ensure participation of Kuwait and its athletes in all regional, continental and international tournaments under the slogan of the State."

"History" for Puerto Rico

Sara Rosario was elected president of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee (COPUR) on Monday, becoming the first female president.

A statement on the COPUR website says her election marks a new chapter in "the history of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican Olympic & sport, and the world."

She said in her first remarks that becoming COPUR president was not a goal of hers, but that she accepted the responsibility when it came up, and is targeting more Olympic success.

"Silver and bronze medals are good, and we're looking for more from Javier Culson and Jaime Espinal. We will be looking at Rio 2016 for the gold medal that everyone craves."

Zambia Olympic Committee Donation

The Zambia Olympic Committee received a donation from its Japanese counterpart of sporting goods for an upcoming regional championship in Africa.

Reports say 700 tracksuits and 700 t-shirts were handed over from the Japanese ambassador Akio Egawa to sports minister Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday.

"This donation is in appreciation of commendable efforts made by the people of Zambia," Egawa said. "Japan has been associated with the development of sports in Zambia."

Written by Ed Hula III

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