IOA rejects Ministry’s tenure regulations

A defiant Indian Olympic Association on Tuesday spurned Sports Ministry’s tenure limitation guidelines even though there was a voice of dissent against IOA president Suresh Kalmadi’s “dictator-like” functioning.

A defiant Indian Olympic Association on Tuesday spurned Sports Ministry’s tenure limitation guidelines even though there was a voice of dissent against IOA president Suresh Kalmadi’s “dictator-like” functioning.

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The IOA’s general body and the Executive Council ruled out amending the constitution to accommodate tenure limitation for its office-bearers as is wished by the Sports Ministry. “The Special General Body unanimously resolved that IOA and NSFs would decline to accept the government guidelines to protect their autonomy in accordance with IOC Charter and international federations’ statutes,” the IOA said.

“No steps will be initiated by IOA/any NSF to amend their constitution to incorporate any provisions/part of these guidelines as this will be seriously in breach of the Olympic Charter and render the IOA/NSFs vulnerable to suspension,” it added.

The IOA’s claim of an “unanimous” rejection of the government regulation notwithstanding, Kalmadi had his moment of embarrassment when Cycling Federation of India (CFI) president SS Dhindsa said, “I hope the (IOA) president would not mind. At times, the president functions like a dictator.”