JOIN USThe International Olympic Committee (IOC) has entrusted its member Randhir Singh to take necessary measures, including a legal recourse against the “new” office-bearers of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to protect the assets and properties of the body.
The IOC expressed its concerns over the present situation of the suspended IOA and “illegitimate individuals” holding office and using the funds of the body despite it declaring the elections to be null and void.
The IOC directive came in the backdrop of media reports that the elected office-bearers have begun operations.
“The IOC is extremely concerned by the ongoing situation of the suspended Indian Olympic Association and the misappropriation of responsibilities and properties by a number of illegitimate individuals claiming to represent the suspended Indian Olympic Association whereas the IOC has already made it clear that the so-called “elections” were null and void and are not recognised by the IOC,” IOC director-general Christophe De Kepper wrote in a letter to Randhir, addressing him the secretary general of the suspended IOA. A copy of the letter has also been marked to V K Malhotra.
“In your capacity as an IOC member and secretary general of the suspended Indian Olympic Association, we request that you take all necessary measures and, if appropriate, any legal action at national level against these individuals in order to protect all assets and properties of the suspended Indian Olympic Association.”
The IOC reiterated that by holding offices, these members are aggravating the situation and actions will be taken against them.
“As mentioned in my previous letter of 6 December 2012, these illegal actions which obviously violate all IOC directives and decisions are aggravating the situation of the suspended Indian Olympic Association. All individuals involved (directly or by complicity) will be held responsible and the IOC will reserve the right to take any action against them,” he said.
The IOC had suspended the IOA in its executive meeting on Dec 4 for government interference and had barred them from holding its scheduled elections on Dec 5.