Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president N. Ramachandran announced here on Thursday that the National Games would be held in 2015 and the dates would be decided in consultation with the various national federations.
Addressing a press conference at the IOA Bhawan following an executive committee meeting attended by 19 of the 25 members, Ramachandran said efforts would be made for the timely conduct of the Games and that a penalty would be levied on the organising committee in case of delay.
Provision for stand-by
Stressing that the conduct of the Games was a healthy way of ensuring sporting infrastructure in a State, he also suggested the provision of having a stand-by in case the original host was not able to meet the deadline.
On his meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, Ramachandran said he had assured him of transparency, accountability and priority for athletes in the functioning of the IOA.
After his meeting with Bach in Lausanne, Ramachandran also visited the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) headquarters in Kuwait and met president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah to “discuss important issues relating to development of sports in India”.
He also said the International Boxing Association (AIBA) had approved the ad-hoc committee formed by the IOA to take care of boxing in the country following the suspension of the Indian Boxing Federation.
The committee, with Tarlochan Singh as chairman, has Rakesh Gupta, Kuldip Vats, Kishan Narsi, Gurbax Singh Sandhu and Mehtab Singh, as members.
He hoped the government would continue to support boxing, even though the national federation stood de-recognised.
Dates to be decided in consultation with various national federations.
