HYDERABAD: A battle is on over protocol in organising sporting events in the State. Annoyed at being "ignored" by various sports associations in organising the inaugural and closing functions, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) has written to the Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association (APOA) stating that it will disaffiliate the associations that do not follow the official protocol.

No annual grant

"Henceforth, it is mandatory for sports associations to follow it.

All official programmes will be finalised by the SAAP. Or else, they will be disaffiliated," a circular says.

Disaffiliation effectively means not releasing any annual grant.

What has upset the SAAP top brass is ignoring Sports Minister M. Satyanarayana Rao in the publicity campaign for an on-going national event recently.

More than that, the SAAP Chairman is also objecting to inclusion of his name on the invitation cards of sports functions feeling that he is not being given due importance.

The associations have also been asked to send a copy of invitation cards for clearance from the SAAP to avoid any embarrassment subsequently.

There are quite a few senior officials in the APOA who are up in arms questioning the legitimacy of the SAAP in issuing such threats.

"Anyhow, we are not getting even the minimum grant of Rs. 6,000 per association for the last three years," argues one of them.

APOA secretary L. Venkatram Reddy reminds that they are not actually aware of any protocol in sports functions.

The APOA called for an emergency meeting on December 16 to discuss the issue. It has even invited Mr. Rao as special guest.

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