Resolve tenure limit issue within country, says MS Gill

Sports Minister MS Gill today said that the row over prescribing tenure and age limit of the IOA and National Sports Federation bosses should be resolved within the country.

Sports Minister MS Gill today said that the row over prescribing tenure and age limit of the IOA and National Sports Federation bosses should be resolved within the country.

HT Image

Gill's reaction came after International Olympic Council on Saturday rejected Sports Ministry's argument for a tenure and age limitation regulation, warning such a move might result in India being thrown out of the Olympic family next month.

Gill said he has got the IOC letter but the matter should be resolved within the country.

"I have got the (IOC) letter and I can understand why it is being written again and again. This is an issue between ourselves and should be resolved within the country," he said.

"There should be a limit to the tenure and age (of sports bosses). I have not brought a new guideline. I have only revived the 1975 guideline. The IOA should respect the opinion of the people of this country," he added.

The Sports Ministry's guideline seeks to limit the tenure of the presidents of IOA and NSF at 12 years with or without the break. The secretary generals and the treasurers' tenure is fixed at eight years at a stretch while also advocating a retirement age of 70 for all executives.

Those who would be affected if the guideline comes into effect would be IOA President Suresh Kalmadi and NSF chiefs including VK Malhotra (archery), Jagdish Tytler (judo) and SS Dhindsa (cycling).