Zayn Khan elected President of FMSCI, vows to continue Bharath’s work

David Bodapati September 22, 2015

345 1 minute read

Bangalore, 22 Sept. 2015: For Zayn Khan, the ever-smiling motorsport official from Hyderabad, the birthday present came in a big way and a bit early. Five days before his birthday on Sept 26, the genial giant, was unanimously elected as the new President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) at the council meeting held here on Tuesday. He was elected to replace the late 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