New Delhi: Scam-tainted Suresh Kalmadi and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala have been appointed life presidents of Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Kalmadi and Chautala were anointed after a resolution for their appointment was moved by Joint Secy Rakesh Gupta and 150 people, who were part of the meeting agreed to it, ANI quoted IOA sources as saying.
Kalmadi had earlier served as president of Indian Olympic Association.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Vijay Goel has said that the government is shocked with Kalmadi’s and Chautala’s appointments.
“We are shocked at the resolution passed by the IOA to make Suresh kalmadi and Abhay Chautala Life Presidents of the IOA which is totally unacceptable to us as both of them are facing serious corruption and criminal charges,” Goel said.
Kalmadi served as IOA president from 1996 to 2011 and was jailed for 10 months for his involvement in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games corruption scandal but later released on bail.
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. His election as IOA chief was annulled by the IOC.
Kalmadi, who was jailed and later released on bail in connection with the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam, served as president of Asian Athletics Association (AAA) for 13 years from 2000 to 2013 and was also credited with the introduction of top events like Asian Grand Prix series, Asian Indoor Championships and Asian All Star Meet, besides other competitions.
Source: Zee News