General secretary of the association D.D. Narzary said a detailed proposal would be submitted to IOA president Suresh Kalmadi.

The association thinks there should not be any problem according state unit affiliation as the IOA already has Services Sports Control Board as a state unit although it is not a state.

The association has been taking the initiative ever since the Bodoland Territo-rial Council came into existence.

Narzary said there was a pool of talent in the Bodoland area reaping laurels not only for Assam but also for the country by winning medals in different sports events in the national and international arena.

"Considering the growing potential in athletics and other sports disciplines, the association proposes to develop sports in the Bodoland area and wants to draw the central government's attention," he added.

"In the last National Games in Guwahati, many players from the Bodoland area represented Assam and won numerous medals for the state. As many as nine players from the area were part of the football team that won the gold," Narzary said.

The BOA general secretary alleged that many talented players were deprived of a berth in the state teams on many occasions in order to make way for their counterparts from other parts of the state.

"If we are accorded a separate affiliation, more and more talented players from the area will get a chance to play in the national arena," he said.

Citing names of two archers from the region, Rajib Basumatary and Pratima Boro, who recently bagged gold medals in 4th Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship, Narzary said seeking a separate affiliation was justified on the ground that the association has the potential to do well.

Rajib Basumatary won the gold in the team event and bronze in the individual archery 70-metre event while Pratima Boro won gold in women's individual event and silver in the team event.