NEW DELHI: Israel is again likely to be the trouble spot for Indian sports officials Isreal is among the 41 countries affliated (the Asian Amateur Athletics Association (AAAA) and the Amateur Athletics Federation of India (AAFI) is obliged to invite them for the 8th Asian Track and Field Meet to be held here from November 14 to 19, But if their participation is not cleared by the Indian government it would put AAFI in an embarrassing situation. It might strain AFI’s relationship with the Asian Amateur Athletics Association (AAAA).

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, president of AAFI said here that he would approach the Government on the issue to make things clear.

It may be recalled that a similar problem had surfaced last year when India had to play the Davis cup tie against Israel in New Delhi. The Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had personally intervened in the matter and Israel was allowed to visit India, But the trouble for AAFI would be more because Mr. Al Dashti of Kuwait has been nominated as the chief technical delegate for the Asian Meet by the International Amateur ‘Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Article extracted from this publication >>  May 26, 1989