Veteran BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra was a multifaceted personality, renowned not just as a seasoned politician but also as an accomplished sports administrator. He will forever be remembered as the visionary who single-handedly introduced and transformed archery into a prominent sport across India.
Malhotra, who recently passed away at 93 due to age-related ailments, was often the trusted figure called upon to assume interim leadership roles within the highest ranks of Indian sports during his active years.
Notably, he served as the acting president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from April 26, 2011, to December 5, 2012. This crucial interim appointment came after Suresh Kalmadi’s arrest following the 2010 Commonwealth Games corruption scandal.
Recognized for his integrity and non-confrontational approach, Malhotra successfully steered the IOA during a turbulent period, helping to restore some credibility to the nation’s sporting image which had been severely damaged by the 2010 Commonwealth Games scandal.
During his relatively short tenure, he brought a much-needed sense of order and stability to the IOA administration, skillfully navigating its often tumultuous internal politics.
A soft-spoken and amiable individual, Malhotra was known for his approachable demeanor and enjoyed engaging with the media from his official residence in Delhi. His interim leadership concluded with an election that ultimately resulted in the Indian Olympic Association’s suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The election of Abhay Singh Chautala as president and Lalit Bhanot as secretary general led to the IOA’s ban on December 4, 2012, a suspension lifted by the IOC on February 11, 2014. Malhotra, a respected elder statesman, later became a life president of the IOA.
Leading India at the 1974 Tehran Asian Games
His dedication to Indian sports extended to representing the nation on a broader stage, as he proudly served as the Chef-de-Mission for the Indian contingent at the 1974 Tehran Asian Games.
However, it was Indian archery that truly flourished under Malhotra’s guidance. He presided over the national federation for an impressive span of over four decades, from 1973 to 2015, effectively becoming its founding father.
Under his extensive leadership, notable figures such as Delhi BJP president Virender Sachdeva and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju gained experience as executive committee members of the Archery Association of India (AAI).
Pioneering Archery in India
Established in 1973, shortly after archery was recognized as an Olympic discipline at the 1972 Munich Games, the Archery Association of India (AAI) became the cradle for the sport in the country. It was Malhotra, then the Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi, whose persistent efforts ensured archery took firm root on Indian soil.
The inspiration for this initiative struck Malhotra during his involvement with the Indian contingent at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Veterans associated with him recall how Malhotra, observing the absence of Indian archers at the Munich Games, was spurred to action, leading to his establishment of the Archery Association of India upon his return.
As the founding president of the AAI, his vision quickly materialized into action. The inaugural Senior National Archery Championship was held in Delhi in April 1973, a memorable event that saw approximately 50 male and female archers compete with traditional bamboo bows and arrows.
Malhotra, alongside then-AAI Secretary General Gopesh Mehra, also played a crucial role in promoting archery across Asia. Their efforts culminated in the formation of the Asian Archery Federation (now World Archery Asia) in Bangkok during the 1978 Asian Games.
Malhotra was elected as the Federation’s first president, with P.N. Mukherjee serving as its first Secretary General. India hosted the inaugural Asian meet in Calcutta in 1980, and it was Malhotra who spearheaded the first Commonwealth Archery Championship in New Delhi in 1995.
During the Commonwealth Championship, the Commonwealth Archery Federation was established, with Malhotra again elected as its president. He was also instrumental in securing archery’s inclusion in the 2010 Commonwealth Games program.
In 2012, Malhotra’s re-election as AAI president at the age of 80 was met with controversy, as it contravened the age and tenure restrictions outlined in the government’s Sports Code. This led to the de-recognition of the AAI by the government.
Thanks to the strong foundations he helped lay, Indian archers have achieved remarkable success, securing numerous medals at Asian, Commonwealth, and World Championship events, even as the elusive Olympic medal remains a key aspiration.
He eventually stepped down in 2015, transitioning to the role of chairman for the All Indian Council of Sports (AICS). This advisory body to the Sports Ministry also bestowed upon the influential leader the equivalent rank of a Minister of State.