Granting affiliation to federations to dominate IOA meeting

Granting affiliation to more National Sports Federations (NSFs) — whose disciplines are part of the Olympic Games — will be the moot point of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Special General Body Meeting on Thursday as it gears up for its elections scheduled for November 25.

IOC had directed the IOA to increase the number of the federations with Olympic sports in their electoral college. IOA in its last executive meeting, on September 24 had decided to form a panel to look into the issue and its report will be presented at the meeting.

So far there are 28 federations in the IOA general assembly whose disciplines are a part of the Summer Olympics. Out of these 28 NSFs, 26 are affiliated to the IOA. Golf and modern pentathlon are the two federations that are left out and their cases will come up for  discussion. The case of separate Winter Games federations too will be in focus.

Those federations who will get the approval for affiliation will have voting rights in the forthcoming elections with each of them having three votes. With Suresh Kalmadi deciding not to contest, the IOA will have a change of guard after 16 years and Thursday's meeting is likely to decide on the date of nomination, appointment of returning officer besides the scrutiny and withdrawal of candidates.