AOA Cancelled Silchar DSA’s Membership; "Waiting for the formal communication," Bijendra Prasad Singh

Assam Olympic Association (AOA) has canceled the membership of Silchar District Sports Association (DSA). The decision was taken in the annual general meeting of AOA on Thursday. However, this was not a part of this year’s AGM agenda, yet such a big decision was taken in the meeting.

Lakshya Konwarhad already given the hint that such a decision would be taken in the meeting. “The matter of DSA would be discussed in the general meeting of the working committee of AOA,”  Konwar told Barak Bulletin in November 2021.

Konwar also said that the AOA members didn’t like how DSA secretary Bijendra Prasad Singh blamed AOA in the media. And he also said that if DSA could function without guidance, they are welcome.

All the drama started with the cancellation of DSA’s annual general meet on October 31, 2021; DSA challenged AOA’s interference in its internal mater. The general meeting had to be canceled after protests by the DSA members. Later on that evening, DSA decided to fight till the end, and they will not tolerate such autocracy by AOA. The next day, DSA sec Bijendra Prasad Singh held a press conference. AOA took the cognizance of DSA’s firm stubborn stance, AOA secretary Lakshya Konwar had informed.

On Thursday, during the annual general meeting of the working committee, secretary of AOA Lakshya Konwar brought up the issue of DSA Silchar. He said that DSA had threatened to watch till the end, and this was a disregard to each of the members of AOA. And the working committee decided to discuss the issue at AGM.

However, this was not in the agenda of the AGM. On asking about this, Konwar replied, “We have discussed few more things which were not part of the agenda. And the issue of Silchar DSA was discussed in our working committee meeting.”

He also informed that the Silchar DSA has been informed orally regarding the matter, and DSA will be intimated officially within Friday evening.

The significant part is that the members from Karimganj and Hailakandi objected to the motion when the issue of Silchar DSA was raised in the AGM. They asked why the decision to cancel Silchar DSA’s membership is being taken despite the fact it is not on agenda; Silchar DSA representative Ajay Chakraborty objected too in this matter. However, there is no clarification on how much time DSA’s membership will stand canceled.

When DSA secretary Bijendra Prasad Singh was contacted regarding the AOA’s decision, he said, “Yes, we have come to know about AOA’s decision, we haven’t received any written document in this regard, we’ll decide further steps after receiving the letter.”

AOA President, union minister Sarbananda Sonowal presided over the AGM, Assam sports minister Bimal Bora, Assam Cricket Association president Ramen Dutta and members of each district sports association were present at the meeting. Lakshya Konwar delivered the inauguration speech, where he presented the audit reports and editorial. Besides that, the budget proposal for 2022-2023 was accepted at the AGM. The proposed amendments in AOA’s constitutions were also proposed and accepted in the AGM.

English By: Suhash Bhattacharjee