LUCKNOW, June 6 -- Putting all speculations aside, the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association (UPOA) on Friday confirmed that it will proceed with its scheduled elections in June 2027 and update its constitution thereafter to align with the new National Sports Code. The decision follows continued uncertainty at the national level after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) delayed a clear set of amendment guidelines for state bodies. "We've taken a pragmatic view," UPOA's secretary-general Anandeshwar Pandey said on Friday. "We will conduct elections as per schedule (June 2027) and then amend the constitution according to the new sports code. Waiting indefinitely for directions that are not arriving will only hurt sport at the grassroots." Pandey's comments come amid a contested environment where the IOA's approach to constitutional changes and state affiliations has drawn criticism. He noted that the IOA's recent actions have effectively curtailed some state bodies' recognised roles within the national structure. "Now the states have not been given any rights or affiliation and the state association of the IOA does not belong to it," Pandey said, pointing to a breakdown in the usual affiliation framework. UPOA leaders argue that decisive local action is needed to ensure continuity of governance, athlete support and event planning. The association says delaying elections until all national-level issues are fully settled would create a governance vacuum that could stall programs for emerging athletes across the state. "We cannot stop sport administration in Uttar Pradesh while national disputes continue," Pandey added. "We will hold elections and then amend our constitution to comply with the new code." In June 2027, Pandey will step down from his post after enjoying power for a record eighth consecutive terms of four years each since 1995. President Viraj Sagar Das still has one more four-year tenure to continue as per the provisions of the advisory, whereas treasurer Syed Rafat Zubair Rizvi can continue further. "I have lived my life king size and there is no regret. Everyone has to abide by the law of the land and as per the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, I will be stepping down from my post by June next year," he added. He also said that as per the New Sports Code, now UPOA will have a team of 15 officials instead of the current set of 25 when the new elections take place in June 2027. The IOA has faced criticism for how amendments were handled in the most recent election cycle. Pandey cited the IOA's last election as the turning point: "In the last elections, they passed the constitution. The IOA is not following its own constitution," He expressed concern that elements of the IOA's updated constitution appear to conflict with established international norms. "See the IOA's constitution; according to the IOA's constitution, the International Federation will follow the Olympic Charter. The IOA has not given the rights to the Handball Association of India," he said, referencing communications from the International Handball Federation and the Asian Handball Federation that underscored the importance of adherence to international rules. Pandey, who is also the executive director of Handball Association of India, warned that ignoring the Olympic Charter's principles risks isolating national and state associations from international federations. "You are not accepting the Olympic Charter," he stressed, underlining the severity of any mismatch between national rules and the Olympic movement's foundational document....