Indian Olympic Association bow under pressure after eventful year
25 Dec 2013 6:30 AM IST
Having blatantly violated IOC’s diktats on more than one occasion throughout the year, IOA was finally left with no option but to amend its constitution as per the world body’s directives following an ultimatum by it. The decision to amend IOA constitution in line with Olympic charter was taken at its special general body meeting on December 8 after IOC served the ultimatum last month that it would de-recognise India if the ‘charge-framed’ persons are not barred from contesting polls, among other directives.
IOC had suspended the national body for adhering to the government’s Sports Code and declared the polls ‘null and void’.In an act of defiance, IOA went ahead with the polls, though the parent body had refused to recognise Abhay Singh Chautala, who was elected unopposed as president, and his team as office bearers. Subsequently, IOC said it would continue to treat VK Malhotra as IOA acting president and Randhir Singh as secretary general. IOC asked Randhir to take all measures, including legal action, against ‘illegitimate individuals’ claiming to represent the suspended IOA.
But turning a blind eye to IOC’s directives, IOA called a meeting of its executive council on January 19 despite being barred from the Olympic family. The sports ministry, meanwhile, issued a letter to all national sports federations, asking them to amend their constitution in accordance with the Sports Code by January 31, failing which it said their recognition by the government could be impacted.
On August 15, IOC dropped a bombshell by stating a tainted person will no longer be eligible to contest IOA elections under the revised draft constitution. The provision effectively meant officials like Suresh Kalmadi, Lalit Bhanot and VK Verma who had been chargesheeted in connection with 2010 Commonwealth Games scam would not be able to contest the IOA elections.
This made IOA defiant and it refused to implement the provision, saying that it had to follow the law of the country. IOA even proposed to dilute the contentious clause, saying the chargesheet clause must apply only to convicted persons, which means only those who are held guilty by a court for a jail term of two or more years. Miffed by IOA’s suggestion, IOC and the sports ministry asked the Indian body to incorporate the required amendments in its constitution.
It was almost a year after the suspension that the national body reluctantly agreed to make amendments. However, India still have to wait until next year to get into the Olympic fold as the much-awaited elections are scheduled on 9 February 2014.
The amendments could bring an end to the existing impasse between the two bodies and pave India’s return to the Olympic fold before next year’s CWG and Asian Games.
IOC had suspended the national body for adhering to the government’s Sports Code and declared the polls ‘null and void’.In an act of defiance, IOA went ahead with the polls, though the parent body had refused to recognise Abhay Singh Chautala, who was elected unopposed as president, and his team as office bearers. Subsequently, IOC said it would continue to treat VK Malhotra as IOA acting president and Randhir Singh as secretary general. IOC asked Randhir to take all measures, including legal action, against ‘illegitimate individuals’ claiming to represent the suspended IOA.
But turning a blind eye to IOC’s directives, IOA called a meeting of its executive council on January 19 despite being barred from the Olympic family. The sports ministry, meanwhile, issued a letter to all national sports federations, asking them to amend their constitution in accordance with the Sports Code by January 31, failing which it said their recognition by the government could be impacted.
On August 15, IOC dropped a bombshell by stating a tainted person will no longer be eligible to contest IOA elections under the revised draft constitution. The provision effectively meant officials like Suresh Kalmadi, Lalit Bhanot and VK Verma who had been chargesheeted in connection with 2010 Commonwealth Games scam would not be able to contest the IOA elections.
This made IOA defiant and it refused to implement the provision, saying that it had to follow the law of the country. IOA even proposed to dilute the contentious clause, saying the chargesheet clause must apply only to convicted persons, which means only those who are held guilty by a court for a jail term of two or more years. Miffed by IOA’s suggestion, IOC and the sports ministry asked the Indian body to incorporate the required amendments in its constitution.
It was almost a year after the suspension that the national body reluctantly agreed to make amendments. However, India still have to wait until next year to get into the Olympic fold as the much-awaited elections are scheduled on 9 February 2014.
The amendments could bring an end to the existing impasse between the two bodies and pave India’s return to the Olympic fold before next year’s CWG and Asian Games.
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