Zayn Khan
was unanimously elected as the new President of the Federation of Motor Sports
Clubs of India at the council meeting held on September 23, 2015. He was
elected to replace R Bharath Raj, who passed away while serving as President on
August 15 this year.
Khan is a
resident of Hyderabad and represents the Western India Automobile Association.
He has years of hands-on experience in the sport and has contributed a lot for
the technical side of the sport in India. He was heading the stewards
development, training and deployment. He has extensive knowledge about rallying
and that will certainly give a fillip to the sport in India. He also has
experience in officiating at the international level and is hence a true
administrator.
Khan said:
“My initial reaction is that it is overwhelming. I hope to bring unity to the
FMSCI. Bharath was a good friend and I would like to take forward his tenure on
a high note.
“My
immediate priorities would be to visit a lot of the clubs and promote the
sport. We are at the absolute peak of motorsport in the country. Promotion of
motorsport, publicity, getting more eyeballs to the sport and generally pushing
the sport to the forefront in India are things I would like to strive at with
the help of the team.
“There are three rounds left in the rallying season this year.
Rallying will be in focus in Chikmagalur in December since the town is hosting
the Asia Cup round. If all goes well, we could see an Asia-Pacific Rally
Championship round in 2016.”
Khan
added: “We would like to interact with the media at more regular intervals. We
seek the support of the media in spreading the sport in the country. I would
say this is the golden period for the sport in India. With the way things are
in Europe and China, Indian can become the centre of motorsport if we play our
cards right.”
The
meeting was chaired by FMSCI Chairman Dr Vijay Mallya and was attended by all
councillors. Before the start of the meeting, tributes were paid to Bharath
Raj, MR Raj Kumar (FMSCI 2-wheeler racing technical regulations Chairman) and
scrutineer Pradeep Mhaskar.
Source: FMSCI