Sports Ministry have decided to suspend Indian Olympic Association following Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Chautala’s appointment as the life presidents. The Sports Ministry had earlier sanctioned a notice to IOA on December 28, threatening to derecognise the sports body if it did not reverse their decision to make Kalmadi and Chautala as life patrons.
Since that deadline expired today, and IOA failed to reply to that notice within the given time, the sports ministry slammed IOA with a suspension. According to the Sports Ministry chief Vijay Goel, IOA will continue to remain suspended until they officially remove Kalmadi and Chautala, as both of them have corruption charges against them.
“The government can’t approve of wrong things. The show-cause notice issued to the IOA was a serious one but they didn’t respond and instead sought 15 days time. So the government has decided to suspend IOA till the time they withdraw the appointments,” said Sports Ministry chief Vijay Goel as quoted by the Indian Express.
Alongside the suspension, the Indian Olympic Association will, therefore, cease to enjoy any of the privileges and prerogatives that were previously given by the government for being India’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Govt. has SUSPENDED the deemed recognition, granted by it to Indian Olympic Association until #IOA reverses its decision. #Kalmadi #Chautala
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) December 30, 2016
“The IOA now can’t take any financial assistance, facilities and privileges from the government till the time they are suspended,” added Vijay Goel.
“Although the government has utmost respect for the Olympic Charter and is committed to protecting the autonomy of sports, it cannot remain a mute spectator to blatant violation of principles of ethic and good governance by IOA, thereby putting the image and prestige of the country at stake. By appointing charge sheeted persons the IOA has flouted all rules and regulations mentioned in its own Constitution and that of International Olympic Committee. The government stands for good governance, principles of ethics and the implementation of National Sports Code,” the sports minister continued.
