Janardan Mishra became the new secretary of Keonjhar District Athletic Association, defeating his nearest opponent Suresh Patnaik by 31 votes in the elections held at Keonjhar yesterday. Out of a total of 166 votes cast, Mishra secured 81.

Previous secretary Biranchi Narayan Das finished third with 34 votes. According to the new secretary, two vice-presidents, three joint-secretaries and one treasurer were also elected for a four-year term.

Elected office-bearers: Janardan Mishra (secretary); Harish Chandra Sahu, Rabi Ranjan Patnaik (both vice-president); Sangram Patnaik, Jagannath Nayak, Krushna Chandra Rout (all joint-secretaries); Saroj Kumar Rana (treasurer).