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Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi has catapulted to the top position in the SportzPower List 2009, while the once-powerful Lalit Modi and number one in 2008 dropped to fifth position.
Union Sports Minister M S Gill dropped two spots in 2009 and is placed fourth. He is replaced by former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sharad Pawar in the second place.
The rankings are compiled by SportzPower, a media brand covering various aspects related to the business and management of sports.
The SportzPower List each year comes out with an annual ranking of the top influencers and performers in the world of Indian sports. While third place is occupied by Sahara chief Subroto Roy, the owner of Formula One team Force India and IPL franchise Royal Challengers, liquor baron Vijay Mallya makes an appearance in seventh spot, followed by the country's three top cricketers -- captain M S Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
The Top 10 is completed by IOA General Secretary Randhir Singh, another important factor in the CWG 2010 extravaganza.
A good year sees badminton star Saina Nehwal, golfers Gagan Bhullar, Jeev Milkha Singh, C Muniyappa, tennis veteran Leander Paes and boxer Vijender Singh mark their spots, while Gautam Gambhir, Pankaj Advani, up and coming boxer Suranjoy Singh, badminton duo V Diju and Jwala Gutta complete the list.