Ministry asks IOA to explain constitutional amendments

"On comparison of the amended constitution with the draft document that was vetted by IOC, which was to be considered by the AGM of IOA, it is found that there are major deviations which appears to have diluted the entire reform process that was assured to the Government by the IOA and IOC at a meeting in Lausanne last June," the letter stated.

The Ministry had, about a month back, wrote a letter to the IOA asking for its response on the amendments but did not receive a reply.

However, within six days of amending the constitution on February 12, the IOA managed to get the approval of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) for the amended version.

The IOC had asked the IOA to introduce changes in the constitution to fall in line with the Olympic Charter. It also said that a National Olympic Committee (NOC) was free to take decisions it considered appropriate according to the "specificities" of the country.

The IOC's main argument was that voting rights should be given to National Sports Federations (NSFs), the IOC members, if any, and Athletes Commission representatives.

But the IOA, after having superficially agreed to bring in changes in accordance to the IOC diktat, did a complete overturn at Ranchi, diluting the amendments and letting almost everything to stand in the composition of the General Assembly.

That included a change in the voting format, apart from allowing Athletes Commission representatives to have voting rights.

The Ministry has also asked for urgent explanation from the IOA in regard to the original draft and the amended constitution submitted by the IOA.

"A statement of the original draft and the amended constitution submitted by the IOA require to have urgents comments," the letter further stated.