Will take up IOA suspension with govt: Ramachandran

NEW DELHI: Breaking his silence, embattled Indian Olympic Association President N Ramachandran, on Saturday, said he will take up the issue of IOA’S suspension with the government after consulting the IOC and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

Cracking the whip on IOA, the Sports Ministry, on Friday, suspended the Olympic body till the time it reverses the decision to make the scam-tainted duo of Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala its life presidents.

“I am away in New Zealand, on a personal issue relating to my family. I understand that the government has suspended the Indian Olympic Association due to the conferment of the lifetime presidency to Mr. Suresh Kalmadi and to Mr. Abhay Singh Chautala,” Ramachandran said in a statement.

The veteran administrator, who was heading World Squash Federation before taking over as IOA chief in 2014, added, “IOA is a body that has to function under the guidance and supervision of OCA and IOC. On my return in the New Year, I shall discuss this issue with the OCA/ IOC after their offices open in the New Year for their guidance and advice, and thereafter, take this up with the government to see how this issue can be resolved.”

The government took the firm decision to suspend IOA after it failed to reply to its showcause notice within the stipulated December 30 deadline.

Following the suspension, the IOA will cease to enjoy the privileges and prerogatives bestowed on it by the government as the National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee, on Saturday, said it will assess the IOA’S controversial move to make corruption-tainted Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala life presidents even as the Indian body decided to approach it on the issue of suspension by the government.

Asked if the IOC plans to take action on IOA for elevat- ing Kalmadi and Chautala as life presidents, IOC Media Relations Manager Michael Noyelle said in a written reply that it will first get in touch with the NOC of India.

“The IOC will be in touch with the NOC of India in due course to assess the situation,” the IOC official said.

The IOC headquarters are currently closed for their annual break.