The Indian Olympic Association has been suspended for not replying to a sports ministry showcase that asked IOA to explain why it had named Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay SIngh Chautala as life-presidents.
The sports ministry had issued the showcause notice on December 27, the day the IOA AGM in Chennai had unanimously decided to bring back former IOA chiefs Kalmadi and Chautala as life patrons.
The sports ministry had given the Indian Olympic Association three days to reply to the notice. That deadline expired today. The IOA has sought a 15-day period to respond, saying its president N. Ramachandran “is abroad.”
Sports minister Vijay Goel told reporters on Friday evening that the IOA was “being suspended” till Kalmadi and Chautala were removed officially. Both Kalmadi and Chautala have corruption charges against them.
“Sports is a public property and Indian Olympic Association has to abide by the laws of the land. It is not their personal property and do whatever they want,” said Goel at his Ashoka Road residence.
Kalmadi has already taken a backward step, declining the IOA offer after he had come under heavy fire from several quarters that highlighted his tainted record as IOA chief.
In a letter to the IOA earlier this week, Kalmadi wrote the time to accept the role of life president was not “appropriate” and he will accept it when his “name will be cleared.”
Source: HindustanTimes