The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is all set to amend its Constitution in a General Body Meeting here on Sunday to bar charge-framed contestants from contesting its elections.
The IOA was left with no choice after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) served it an ultimatum on November 15 to amend its constitution suitably by December 10. The constitutional amendments will bring to an end the year-old impasse between the IOA and the IOC.
The world body said it would recommend India’s de-recognition to its executive board, which meets on December 10 and 11, if the diktat is not followed.
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“We have no other option now,” a top IOA official told PTI. It is also learnt that IOA chief V.K. Malhotra’s letter to the IOC to postpone the GBM till January in view of elections in five states was also rejected by the world body. Malhotra had said that several IOA members may not be able to attend the GBM if it is held before December 10, since they were either contesting in the state elections or directly involved in campaigning.
De-recognition will mean that India will cease to be a part of the Olympic Movement, and the country’s sportspersons will not be allowed to take part in any international event.
Meanwhile, in an interview with AP on Saturday, IOC President Thomas Bach said the world body would have no compunctions about withdrawing recognition of the IOA if it fails to comply. “It’s about the principles,” Bach said. “Good governance for the IOC is a key issue. We need to be strict and to make sure the rules of good governance are being applied.”
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“The (Olympic) charter is clear,” he said. “If the suspension leads to no solution, then further steps could be withdrawal of recognition.”