Kalmadi honoured with 'Life President' of AFI as he resigns

Pune, Apr 2 (UNI) Suresh Kalmadi, MP, president of Athletic Federation of India (AFI) has been honoured as the 'Life President' of the national body after his resignation from the post.

Due to his pre-occupation as an MP from Pune, Mr Kalmadi is loaded with stupendous task of hosting both the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Mr Kalmadi had opted to resign from the post of the president of AFI last year itself, considering his added responsibilities as the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the President of the Asian Athletic Association (AAA) and above all becoming the council member of the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF).

Mr Kalmadi's resignation was accepted at the Annual General Body Meeting, which met under the chairmanship of AFI Acting President Umrao Singh at New Delhi recently, according to AFI joint secretary Pralhad Sawant.

Keeping on record Kalmadi's oustanding and extraordinary services to the cause of Athletics in the country the AFI did not want to part his association and hence showered him with the unique honour of making him the 'Life President' of the federation, Mr Sawnt said.

UNI