Arjun Munda was nominated working president of Jharkhand Archery Association (JAA) on Tuesday with affiliated districts and clubs backing his appointment at an executive committee meeting held at the conference hall of JRD Tata Sports Complex.

JAA president Sunil Bhaskaran, who was Tata Steel vice-president (corporate services) and was recently transferred to Bangalore as chief executive and MD of Air Asia India, resigned from his post, paving the way for the former chief minister to head the association.

Tuesday’s meeting was chaired by JAA senior vice-president Bailey Bodhanwala.

Munda said he was happy to accept the responsibilities of a working president and would try his best to shepherd archery to new heights. “I am glad with the new responsibility given to me by members. It was an unanimous decision. I will try my level best to take archery forward in Jharkhand,” he said.

According to Munda, the executive committee also decided to host the state archery championship at Seraikela from January 27 to 29.

The term of the JAA executive is for four years. Bhaskaran became the president of the state archery outfit in June, 2015.

Last month, Munda joined the fray for the Archery Association of India elections but his candidature was rejected by the election officer on the ground that he (Munda) was chief patron of JAA and not an office-bearer.

Munda's appeal against the decision was also rejected by Delhi High Court.

Sources revealed that Munda was all set to become the president of the state archery outfit at the AGM slated to be held later this year. “He (Munda) has been nominated as the working president. But he will be elected president at the AGM later this year as there is no one else of his stature. Moreover, the former chief minister is associated with archery since several years,” a senior JAA office-bearer said.

As working president, he added that Munda would continue to be patron of JAA.

Besides, JAA, Munda is also patron-in-chief of Seraikela-Kharsawan district archery association. His wife Meera heads the district outfit. The couple also patronise a cradle at the former princely town and Munda’s Assembly constituency Kharsawan.