FMSCI retains Sporting Power     

At the World Motor Sports Council Meeting of the FIA held in Paris today, the issue of FIA Sporting Power in India was debated.

Mr. Nazir Hoosein, the current nominee of The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), had formed a new body termed the Motor Sports Association of India (MSA) and had applied to the FIA for the grant of Sporting Power since, in his opinion, the FMSCI were not adequately promoting motor sporting opportunities in India.

The FMSCI was represented by its Chairman Dr. Vijay Mallya and Mr. K.D. Madan.  In his speech to the World Motor Sports Council, Dr. Vijay Mallya emphasized the progress by the FMSCI during 28 years of its existence.  He emphatically told the World Motor Sports Council that there was no case for the transfer of Sporting Power from the FMSCI to any new association at this stage.

Mr. Nazir Hoosein, on behalf of the MSA, made a plea for the transfer of Sporting Power in favour of his association on the grounds that there were certain flaws in the functioning of the FMSCI which, in turn, lead to the under development of motor sports in India.

The World Motor Sports Council of the FIA deliberated the matter and decided that there was no compelling case for such drastic action to be taken as requested by Mr. Nazir Hoosein.  The Council, therefore, confirmed that the exclusive FIA Sporting Power for India would remain intact with the FMSCI only.

However, the President of the FIA, Mr. Max Mosley, urged the FMSCI and Mr. Nazir Hoosein to resolve their differences and to co-operate jointly for the further promotion of motor sports in India.

From Paris, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman of the FMSCI, said that he was very pleased with the decision of the World Motor Sports Council, which had justifiably retained FIA Sporting Power in favour of the FMSCI.  He also acknowledged the vast experience of Mr. Nazir Hoosein and pledged that he would get personally involved to resolve differences of opinion so that Mr. Nazir Hoosein could function as a part of the FMSCI for the overall development of Motor Sports in India.  A further report would be tabled at the World Council Meeting scheduled for the second quarter of the year 2000.