Kalmadi, 69, is seeking to be elected for a third consecutive term having taken over in 2000, despite currently being on bail having been in prison for ten months for his alleged involvement in a series of corruption scandals linked the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, which he was in charge of. 

The Indian had been elected unopposed in the two previous elections but faces a stiff challenger in 56-year-old Al Hamad, vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and President of the Qatar Association of Athletics Federation (QAAF). 


A total of 45 countries are eligible to vote in the election - which will take place two days before the start of the Asian Championships in Pune - and Al Hamad claims that he not only has the support of West Asia, but also several countries from Central and East Asia.

"I won't promise miracles," he said.

"Step by step and with hard work we will restore the Asian Athletics pride and create an attractive package that will tempt the TV giants and powerful sponsors to invest in our product.

"We will succeed even if we need to reshuffle the whole structure of the Asian Athletics.

"To educate our coaches and expand the youth developing programmes to every Asian region is another primary target we must concentrate."

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