The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Tuesday at its Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, apparently for ignoring its warning against holding its elections under the National Sports Code.
The Associated Press, quoting two officials with knowledge of the decision, said a formal decision would be made at the end of the first day’s Executive Board meeting.
With details yet to come in about the consequences of the action that will have to be taken by the Executive itself, there was speculation in the sports circles, especially among athletes, that this could lead to India’s complete isolation from international sports.
However, such a blanket ban from the Olympic Movement, like that of South Africa during its apartheid days, is never imposed by the IOC for violations like the present Indian breach. Nor is the suspension maintained indefinitely.
The news forced at least one faction of the IOA to assess the situation and review its strategy for Wednesday’s elections, while the other faction called it the most shameful chapter in the history of the Olympic body.
IOA Acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra said that part of the election process, including the unanimous choice of all the key office-bearers, having been completed, the Annual General Meeting of the IOA on Wednesday would take a decision on the next step.
There was talk of taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), especially in view of the lack of hearing afforded to the IOA before the suspension was slapped on it. IOA sources also pointed that the elections were yet to take place though the process had been going on since November 5.
The contentious issue had been the tenure guidelines of the Union Government that the IOA has not accepted, but has been ordered to follow by the Delhi High Court in the elections. The IOC has objected to the IOA enforcing regulations that are not part of its constitution and are against the Olympic Charter.
Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh said it was an “unfortunate” development. He pointed out that his ministry had written to the IOC but had not received a reply so far.
Keywords: IOA, IOC, Indian Olympic Association
The union sports minister says that his ministry has written to IOC,but no reply.The fact is his ministry sent the letter on saturday and expects a reply.
Just shows how smart are these politicians, with words.
The IOC has done a service to Indian Sports. Now is the opportunity for the Government to take a brrom and clean the closet. Remove the dead wood, hangers-on and office bearers with poltical links. Let the sportspeople select the people who will call the shots. Even if itmeans missing the next Asian/Commonwealth/Olympics, the cleaning is long overdue.
This is indeed a shocking news for the nation and the people. The IOC has a point,
especially from a competitive spirit in comparison with the other bigger nations
winning numerous medals. The Indian sports board committee should learn from
this unfortunate event and pave for a stronger comeback. They should recruit players
from different walks of life, diversity the game plan. Lets do a re-match and show
the world what India is capable of.
Great, now we will not get those 2, 3 medals we used to get in the
Olympics. Look at China, the country with almost same population like
our's stood second in the medal count this year. None of the ministry is
doing what they are supposed to do. Everyone is concerned about looting
power and money. What a shame IOA.
This can be a start of golden age of Indian Olympics, with no international funding means no money, hence no corrupt politicians and convicted criminals will be interested in administration of IOA.
So lets now put deserving atheletes and olympians to run this association
It would be nice to understand what the Sports Code, which is at the centre of the controversy, is all about.
Why is this a blanket ban? Why was not IOA not given a chance to
explain its side? IOC should have made a speaking order for taking such
a step.
International bodies should behave in a more transparent manner than
this!
The article is titled - India Suspended from Olympics.
So, what is the National Sports Code? And how did holding elections under the National Sports Code lead to India being suspended by the IOC? Does it mean India cannot compete in the Summer and Winter Olympics unless the suspension is lifted?
Quite unusual for The Hindu to publish such a poorly written article.
What is wrong with IOA and is there anything wrong with government sport's code ?
Time to sweep these corrupt politicians and bureaucrats plaguing our
sports system. The entire infrastructure has been bled dry by their
greed. It is Judgement Day for them now
Looks like some politician is handling this affair in India.
Way to GO!!!
We deserve it. With a nation of a billion people, we have what ? 3 medals? It's time to
clean up the system. Britain was in a similar state a few years ago when they lost
heavily in the Olympics. There was a huge awareness campaign, fund raising, quality-
control and look how they've turned their fate around. There is hope, but there must be
will power too.
What an embarrassment! For such a huge nation to be shamed like
this....we Indians are absolutely zero on ethics aren't we? Lethargic
and unethical. One killer combination.
What a shame faced by Indian Govt authorities - all due to heavy corruption and sidekicks received by important political bosses sure; no transparency in accounting and no integrity in operations
God save our country from such scoundrels I pray
Congratulations IOA!!!!
Great news...hope this will mark the start of getting rid of those scums
currently in Indian Olympic Association. Hope the ban continues till
people who are clean and can deliver are appointed and that too without
political interference. thank you IOC
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