Interference from Centre could lead to sanctions: IOA

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today took on the Union sports ministry, challenging the order to limit the tenure of office-bearers of the national sports federations (NSFs). The IOA said the sports minister’s attempt to erode their autonomy could lead to sanctions against the country.

Armed with letters of support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the IOA went on the offensive and said sports bodies could not be subjected to interference and external pressure due to the Olympic Charter.

“Any restriction in the tenure of the office bearers and fixing the age limit may amount to interference to the internal functioning of the national Olympic committees (NOCs). This may lead to violation of Olympic Charter and IOC Executive Board may hand sanctions, suspension or withdrawal of recognition of such NOCs,” IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh told reporters in New Delhi.

“The issue of limiting the tenure and fixing age limit of office bearers of NOCs shall not be decided or imposed by law of any government or external pressure but should be decided by the NOCs themselves. These should be the prerogative of the NOCs and decided by their executive committees or general assemblies,” Randhir said, quoting a letter from the IOC.

“There should be harmonious relationship between NOCs and their respective governments. But, the autonomy of the NOCs is enshrined in the Olympic Charter and it is the balance between this autonomy and good relation with the governments that is important for the development of sport,” the letter said.

Randhir also said OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad is of the view that the sports ministry order violates the Olympic Charter and OCA Constitution.

“I am extremely concerned by media reports of the Indian Sports Minister’s May 1, 2010 order which clearly violates the Olympic Charter and the Constitution of the OCA. All NOCs must preserve autonomy. There should be no interference on the autonomy of the NOCs,” Randhir said, quoting the letter from the OCA chief.

“Governments cannot impose the number of terms of NOC office bearers and their age limits. These are the prerogatives of the NOCs concerned,” said Randhir, who is also the Secretary General of OCA.

The new regulations issued by sports minister M S Gill bar NSF presidents, including long-standing IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi, from occupying the post for more than 12 years, with or without break, while secretaries and treasurers can serve eight years at a stretch and can seek re-election only after a four-year gap.