There is no end in sight to the Sports Ministry-Indian Olympic Association tussle over the issue of limitation of tenure of sports federation officials, with IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh saying the issue was a “closed chapter”, but the ministry said “nothing has changed”: and that it would stick to the guidelines.
The ministry had recently issue guidelines limiting the tenures of presidents and office-bearers of national sports federation (NSFs), which had cause a furore. The IOA even said the ministry was infringing on their autonomy, which would invite suspension of the IOA by the International Olympic Council.
Two ministry officials were even sent to Lausanne to sort out the matter with IOC chiefs. But two weeks after their meeting with IOC officials, IOA and the government continued to wrangle over the tenure limitation issue. The IOA claimed the June 18 meet with IOC officials had gone in their favour and asked the government not to interfere in the functioning of the NSFs. “It is a closed chapter for us. I don’t think there would be any interference from the government,” Randhir said.
“The IOC had made it clear that the autonomy of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) cannot be infringed.” But the ministry contested Randhir’s claims, saying there was no change in its stance. “Nothing has changed. The government order of May 1, 2010 continues to stand. The next date of hearing before the Chief Justice of the Delhi HC is on August 18,” a ministry spokesman said.
{{/usCountry}}“The IOC had made it clear that the autonomy of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) cannot be infringed.” But the ministry contested Randhir’s claims, saying there was no change in its stance. “Nothing has changed. The government order of May 1, 2010 continues to stand. The next date of hearing before the Chief Justice of the Delhi HC is on August 18,” a ministry spokesman said.
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