Sports ministry proposes ad-hoc body for IOA

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The sports ministry Friday has proposed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the seting up of an ad-hoc committee to run the affairs of the suspended Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Sports minister Jitendra Singh said that the government is planning to set up a 10-member ad-hoc committee comprising sportspersons.

“We are going to speak to various international bodies to work out an interim solution. We are going to suggest an ad-hoc committee comprising 10 eminent (Indian) sportspersons to be formed. What we are saying is that please put in place an interim measure,” Singh

said.

“We are passing through a very bad phase. The government is trying to resolve. The government does not have direct jurisdiction over any sports body. We want to reach out to them, want to resolve it as soon as possible.

“I am primarily concerned about sportspersons, that is our priority. The facilities will remain available for athletes,” the sports minister said.

Singh said the way ahead for the IOA is simple – “adopt the Sports Code that is in accordance with the IOC Charter.”

“We are saying please adopt the Sports Code which is same as the IOC Charter,” he further said.

Singh said the Sports Bill was the “need of the hour”.

“Sports bill is the need of the hour. I am trying to convince the Cabinet colleagues. There were a few observations regarding the bill and consultations are on. I cannot give you an exact time frame but we will be able to bring it very soon,” Singh said.

The IOC suspended IOA Tuesday for its failure to hold independent elections.

The decision was taken at the IOC executive board committee meeting on the eve of the IOA elections. India now joins a dubious group of countries like Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan who have been suspended for varying periods.

The suspension means that IOA will now stop getting funds from the IOC and its officials and will be banned from attending Olympic meetings and events.

Indian athletes will also be barred from taking part in Olympic events under their national flag but can take part under the Olympic flag.

IANS 2012-12-07 19:12:10