IOA ratifies decision to shift AGM to Delhi

The Indian Olympic Association's Executive Committee, on Thursday, ratified the decision to shift the venue of the December 14 Annual General Meeting from Chennai to New Delhi.

The decision was taken during the executive committee meeting held here in the presence of IOA president N Ramachandran.

A release signed jointly by Ramachandran and secretary-general Rajeev Mehta said at the request of several members, they (president and the secretary-general) have agreed to hold the elective AGM at the IOA Bhawan in New Delhi on December 14.

The AGM will elect the new office-bearers of the IOA, including the president and secretary general.

The incumbent president Ramachandran, who is 69 now, is expected to take a decision on contesting the elections soon, sources said.

In all, 21 EC members and 13 associate members attended the meeting on Thursday.

Lalit Bhanot, whose election as secretary-general in December 2012 was declared null and void by the International Olympic Committee, and FIH boss Narinder Batra did not turn up.

"The president and secretary-general appreciated the views of the members of the executive council at their meeting held on 7th November and since most of the issues were taken up for discussion at the meeting on 9th November, the minutes have been accepted, however, subject to the amendments made by Anil Khanna, Virendra Nanavati and R K Anand," the release said.

The Executive Committee decided to recommend de-recognition of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation to the general body of the IOA.

It was also decided that the grant to National Sports Federations and state Olympic associations will be initially Rs 7 lakh per year for sport promotional activities and if sponsorship increases, this will be increased to Rs 9 lakh per year, the release said.