NSFs, State Oly associations resolve to reach consensus on constitution change

The National Sports Federations and the State Olympic Associations in a meeting on Sunday resolved to arrive at a consensus on amendments to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) constitution.

A draft of the proposed amendments was circulated and discussed among the members at the meeting. It would now be sent to all the NSFs for their approval.

The members were also asked to send the requisition forms to finalise a date in July for conducting a Special General Body Meeting in order to amend the constitution in July, as per the International Olympic Committee (IOC) diktat.

“There were 30 NSFs present as well as the State Olympic associations. They were all unanimous in accepting the new amendments. The draft will now be circulated to the members for their approval and could take three to four days,” Tarlochan Singh, who was the vice-president of the suspended IOA, told Deccan Herald.

Once that is done, a date for the GBM based on requisitions of the members would be decided. “It is in the GBM we will be deciding on the elections dates, procedures as well as the appointment of the returning officer,” Tarlochan Singh said.

The amendments to the constitution would be to bring it in line with the IOC constitution.The IOC, following a meeting with an Indian delegation had asked the IOA to amend its constitution by July 15 and hold fresh elections by September 1.

Acting president of suspended IOA VK Malhotra and secretary-general Randhir Singh did not attend the meeting.