Rift in IOA widens as Mehta trains guns on Ramachandran

The rift in the newly formed Indian Olympic Association (IOA) once again became apparent after its secretary-general Rajeev Mehta shot a letter to president N. Ramachandran questioning his silence on the proposal to submit the bid for the hosting rights of 2019 Asian Games.

It was Mehta, who in May, showed interest in IOA bidding for the Games. It was though shot down by Ramachandran who termed it as his personal opinion, adding that such a proposal first needs the approval of the House. 

However, Mehta on Monday wrote to all the National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations to send in their views via email on whether to go ahead with the bid. In a letter addressed to Ramachandran on Thursday, Mehta insisted that 85 percent of the members have replied in affirmative.

“I am happy to inform you that till now we have received a yes from 85% members and the balance 15% member have not replied but no one has said a no.

“We will get yes from member by over 90% in next two or three days,” Mehta wrote.
He further added that that the squash federation had yet to reply.

“It is surprising to note that your federation squash had yet not replied and also the Triathlon again controlled by you has not replied.”

Mehta warned Ramachandran would be held responsible in case IOA could not submit the bid, the last date for which is July 1.

“ I now hope that you will submit the bid for 2019 Asian Games by or before July 1, 2014 and will not let the IOA, its members,  and the sports loving people of your country down by not submitting the bid.

“Kindly note that we will now hold you solely responsible in case IOA does not submit the bid for the Asian Games 2019,” he said.

Though the sports ministry has given indications of supporting the bid, the challenge will be to get the cabinet approval before the fast nearing deadline.  Meanwhile, the IOA needs to thrash out its differences among its top bosses.