Hockey India (HI) on Thursday formally initiated a no-confidence motion against Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President N. Ramachandran, said HI President Narinder Batra.
According to Batra, the move was demonstrative of the general dissatisfaction within the IOA family.
“We are not happy with the style of functioning of the IOA President. Nobody knows what is happening in the IOA. Even some of the key office-bearers of the organisation are not being kept in the loop. Also, the way we were presented before the IOC President has put us in very poor light before the IOC,'' Batra told The Hindu . “As per the IOA constitution, two-third members have to initiate the motion and we on behalf of HI have started it.” The HI letter addressing the IOA President, Secretary General and Treasurer said HI was taking the step as ''we are totally in disagreement with his working and along with it we also feel he is working towards weakening and finishing off the IOA.”
The simmering discontent within the IOA boiled over during the recent visit of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach. Members of the IOA, representatives of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and State units were peeved over the ''lack of protocol'' towards the IOC President. Besides, they were also unhappy with the treatment meted out to them during their meeting with the IOC boss.
“I believe some other NSFs have also initiated similar no-confidence motions against the IOA President. However, I am yet to get confirmation on that,'' said Batra.
In the normal course, the whole process might take at least a couple of months to enter a decisive phase.
