We will assess IOA’S move, says IOC

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 elevating Kalmadi and Chautala as life presidents, IOC Media Relations Manager Michael Noyelle told PTI 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. Meanwhile, IOA President N Ramachandran said that he will take up the issue of IOA’S suspension with the government after consulting the IOC and Olympic Council of Asia.

Cracking the whip on IOA, the Sports Ministry yesterday suspended the national Olympic body till the time it reverses the decision to make Kalmadi and 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 life time presidency to Suresh Kalmadi and to Abhay Singh Chautala,” Ramachandran said.

The veteran administrator, who was heading World Squash Federation before taking over as IOA chief in 2014, added,

“The 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,” he said.

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

Kalmadi spent nine months in jail after allegations, stemming from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He was released on bail pending an appeal to Delhi High Court and has denied any wrongdoing.

Chautala is also facing unrelated corruption charges in an ongoing court case. He has also denied the allegations. 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).

Bindra backs IOA suspension

New Delhi: Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra on Saturday backed the Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend the Indian Olympic Association and called it a “good step” following the sports body’s move to honour two scam-tainted administrators.

The IOA named its former presidents Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as life presidents on Tuesday, a decision that has been heavily criticised as both are facing allegations of corruption.

As a result, the Vijay Goel-led ministry yesterday suspended the IOA.

“The @Olympics movement and specially the movement in India can no longer hide behind autonomy. It’s the age of good governance and ethics,” Bindra wrote on his twitter handle. The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist — India’s lone gold medal winner in individual sport at the Games — added, “Change in Indian sport will only happen if mandated. A law is necessary in India. A good step by @Indiasports & @vijaygoelbjp to suspend IOA.” Cracking the whip, the Sports Ministry on Friday suspended the Olympic body till the time it reverses the decision to make the tainted duo of Kalmadi and Chautala its life presidents. The government took the firm decision after IOA failed to reply to its showcause notice within deadline.