IOA aggravating situation: IOC

World body to deal with Malhotra-Randhir only; IOA told not to access funds

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has warned the suspended Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that it was “considerably aggravating” its situation by flouting the world body’s directives and refused to recognise the new set of office-bearers.

The IOC made it clear that it continues to regard VK Malhotra as IOA acting president and Randhir Singh as the secretary-general.

“There is no change concerning the current office-bearers of the suspended Indian Olympic Association, with Mr Malhotra as Acting President (provided he does not act against the IOC directives) and Mr Randhir Singh as Secretary General of the suspended Indian Olympic Association,” IOC director-general Christophe De Kepper said in a letter.

The letter was titled “To Whom it May Concern” and mailed to Randhir and Malhotra. “It is regrettable to note that by continuing to act against the IOC directives, the suspended Indian Olympic Association is considerably aggravating its situation.”

 The IOC said the IOA elections were a violation of IOC directives and that its elected ‘office-bearers’ were not entitled to any activity on behalf of the suspended body.

“The IOC does not and will not recognise the so-called “elections” which the suspended Indian Olympic Association decided to conduct in violation of the IOC directives,” the letter stated.

‘No legitimacy’

“These so-called “elections” are null and void and the so-called “elected office-bearers” have no legitimacy to claim to represent or act on behalf of the suspended Indian Olympic Association in any capacity whatsoever.”

The IOC also stressed that the ‘elected’ lot did not have any right to use the funds of the Olympic Movement.

“In particular they are not entitled to access the suspended Indian Olympic Association’s bank accounts and the funds of the Olympic Movement. The IOC reserves the right to take any legal action against any misuse of the remaining Olympic Movement funds which may still be available on the account of the suspended Indian Olympic Association.”

This recent letter may also mean that the IOC has closed its channels of communication with newly elected body of the suspended IOA, who had been hoping to seek a meeting with the world body to explain their stand.

Things will now only get difficult for the Abhay Singh Chautala-led fraction which has so far been reluctant to adopt a confrontationist stand against the IOC and even discounted the chance of  appealing against the suspension in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).