TP Dasan may run the position left vacant by Anju Bobby George

Kochi: Former state sports council president T. P. Dasan has emerged as the front-runner for the position left vacant by Anju Bobby George.

The former Mayor of Kozhikode who was president of the council during the previous LDF regime has, however, refused to comment on his chances.

It is understood that Olympian Mercy Kuttan was approached for the president’s role, but the 1982 Asian Games silver medallist refused to accept it on the grounds that she has to devote more time to her athletics academy in Kochi.

However, Ms Kuttan may be nominated as a board member in place of Preeja Sreedharan, who has stepped down along with Anju.

Olympian and former president Padmini Thomas is also being considered for Anju’s vacant seat and sports minister E.P. Jayarajan had told this newspaper in an earlier interview that he’s a fan of the Arjuna awardee.

Sources close to the ministry say that former national badminton champion, George Thomas was in the race, but has now gone down the pecking order. Olympian P.T. Usha has also stepped away from the presidents’ post, leaving the route clear for Dasan. Former international volleyball player Kishor Kumar may be named one of the board members in place of his former teammate Tom Joseph.