It came as a surprise to most as Indian Olympic Association President and ad-hoc committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi announced Ajit Pal's name as the new chairman, ending Aslam Sher Khan's three-month stint as the panel chief.

Sher Khan, who made his displeasure clear by skipping the meeting, however, remains a member of the panel.

"We have decided to rotate the selection committee Chairman's post. From now, Ajit Pal Singh will head the selection committee in place of Aslam Sher Khan," Kalmadi said after the ad-hoc committee's first meeting with Olympians and technical experts to chalk out a road-map for the development of the game.

Though Kalmadi cited rotation policy, sources within the committee confirmed Sher Khan's removal from the top post was demanded by a few Olympians who were not happy with him superseding Ajit Pal, the senior-most person in the committee.

"A few Olympians in the committee have raised objections on Sher Khan superseding Ajit Pal for the Chairman's post. This might be the reason behind his removal," one source said.