IOA lashes out at Ministry

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday strongly objected to the Sports Ministry’s letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), terming it an “assault” on the autonomy of the National Sports Federations.

The Sports Secretary P K Deb had written to the IOC president Jacques Rogge to consider a meeting with its representatives in India to clear the air on the National Sports Code and to put off the IOA elections till that time. The ministry also accused the IOA of lack of good governance and not amending its constitution as per the Olympic Charter.

In a letter to Rogge, IOA acting president V K Malhotra stated the ministry’s letter contained “half truths and distorted facts”. 

“To start with, the very fact that Mr Deb has directly written to you and the IOC bypassing the Indian Olympic Association, shows the govern-ment’s intentions, interests and interference in the affairs of the IOA,” Malhotra wrote.

Malhotra said he was open to have a meeting with IOC and the government.