Hours after the former Sports Minister and Congress leader Ajay Maken slammed Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to appoint Commonwealth Games scam accused Suresh Kalmadi as one of the lifetime presidents of IOA, Kalmadi has declined to accept the post of the president.
On the other hand, the Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel told the media that the government will send a show cause notice to Indian Olympic Association. He said,”Will send IOA a show cause notice. Won’t be dealing with them on any issue until both Kalmadi & Chautala are removed.”
On December 27, the former IOA chief and 2010 Commonwealth Games scam convict Suresh Kalmadi and former IABF chief Abhay Singh Chautala were declared as the life time presidents of the Indian Olympic Association.
This announcement sparked controversies with people questioning as to how an accused of such a scam could be eligible the chiefs of a sports board who already have various corruption charges on their heads. Also, the chief of IOA needs to to be free from any criminal charges which makes Kalamadi and Chautala non-eligible to be the presidents.
Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel stated that the ministry was completely shocked after this decision was taken. He said,”We are shocked at the resolution passed by the IOA to make Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as life presidents of IOA. This is totally unacceptable to us as both of them are facing serious corruption and criminal charges”.
Earlier this day, former sports minister Ajay Maken strictly condemned the decision of IOA and said,”There should be the pressure on IOA. All the members are related to political parties and I would like to urge them to take back the decision”.
Maken warned the IOA that the body was suspended by the International Olympic Committee earlier due to Chautala’s election as president in 2012 and the same could happen again.
Suresh Kalmadi had also served as a member of powerful ruling council of the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) from 2001 to 2013. He was also made the lifetime President of the Asian athletics body last year.
Abhay Singh Chautala served as the president of Indian Olympic Association from December 2012 to February 2014 when the IOA was suspended by the parent International Olympic Committee for fielding charge-sheeted candidates at the elections.
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