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IOA Continues to Defy IOC by Calling Meeting to Discuss Suspension |
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07 Jan 2013 - The Indian Olympic Association has called a meeting of its executive council on January 19, at which it intends to discuss the recent suspension of the body by the International Olympic Committee.
This is despite the fact that, under the terms of the IOC action, officials claiming to represent the IOA are not supposed to conduct any official activity on behalf of the organisation.
The meeting in Delhi, which has been described as “routine,” will consider the suspension of the IOA and the Indian government’s new Sports Code, which influenced the IOC decision.
Other items on the agenda include the progress and dates for the 2013 National Games in Kerala, approval of the renting of IOA premises, the preparation of athletes for future games and the plans for the 2013 South Asian Games, which are due to be held in India.
The circular announcing the meeting was issued on Friday by Lalit Bhanot, who was elected secretary general of the IOA in December elections not recognised by the IOC.
A copy of the circular was marked for Indian IOC member and former IOA secretary general Randhir Singh, who has hit out at the new administration for continuing to stand up to the IOC.
He said: “They are taking their defiance of the IOC to another level. They seem to be hell-bent upon ruining Indian Olympic sports in this country. I don’t think they care at all for the Olympic movement. They are only keen to hold their position and eventually it’s the athletes who will pay for their folly. Let them [the IOA officials] face the music from the IOC.”
Late last month, it was reported that the IOC had asked Singh to take all measures, including legal action, against “illegitimate individuals” claiming to represent the suspended IOA.
The IOA was earlier suspended by the IOC in a long-running wrangle over the IOA’s elections and the Sports Code, which imposes age and tenure limits on Indian sports officials, and are, the IOC maintains, in breach of the Olympic charter.
Meanwhile, Suresh Kalmadi, the former president of the IOA, and 10 others, including Bhanot, are accused of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy in relation to the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, with the charges due to be read out on January 10. They deny any wrongdoing.
Kalmadi has already spent nine months in custody, but was released on bail in January last year. Bhanot spent 11 months in custody, but was also released on bail.
Sportcal
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