Sports Ministry takes credit for re-entry

Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday congratulated the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for felicitating the return of India to the Olympic movement and said major steps were taken during the 14 months suspension to clean up the sport in the country.

“What we have been able to achieve in the last one and a half years of exile was that major steps have been taken to clean up sports. The sports ministry had first raised it with the IOC that IOA constitution needs amendment and people who have been charge-framed should not be allowed to contest elections. I am thankful that the historic step has been taken,” the minister told reporters on Tuesday.

“To a great extent our athletes had to pay for that, for example Sochi Winter Games.”
Singh believed the Ministry has a bigger role to play in the future. “We have played a hyperactive role in bringing India back into the Olympic movement. I think Sports Ministry has a bigger role to play in future as far as transparency and good governance in sports is concerned,” he said.

The government, Singh said, is working with the IOC on formulating the National Sports Development Bill.