India to be back in Olympic fold soon, says sports minister Jitendra Singh

Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to pave the way to lift ban on the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Indian sportspersons will soon able to join the Olympics.

"I am happy to inform you that the IOC has decided to pave the way to lift the ban on IOA. Indian sportsperson will be able to join the Olympic movement soon," Singh told media here.

Singh further lauded the IOC's decision to work in cooperation with the IOA in drafting the national sports bill.

"I am very happy to tell you here today that after discussions with the president of the IOC and the director general of the IOC. The IOC has agreed to work along with the government in drafting the proposed national sports bill. The highlights of the bill would be independent election commission, a dispute redressal system, mechanism also in place and good governance," said Singh.

The sports minister said that the government will ensure free and fair elections to the IOA and it has no intention to interfere in the internal matter of the National Sports Federation (NSF).

"The government of India and the ministry of youth affairs and sports has given a commitment and has reiterated that the government has no intent to interfere in the internal workings of the NSF. We respect their autonomy, we respect their freedom," he added.

The discussion with the IOC on Wednesday in Laussane, also included age and tenure guidelines of sportspersons. The sports minister had also discussed ban on wrestling with the IOC president.

The IOC had banned India after refusing to recognise the results of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) elections held on December 5 due to government interference, which led to a tainted official being named its new secretary general.

The IOC offered a lifeline in January, inviting stakeholders to a meeting at its Lausanne headquarters to discuss ways of getting India back on track, but that meeting was postponed twice.

A Delhi court last year directed the IOA to hold the elections adhering to a government sports code, while the IOC wanted the body to abide by the Olympic charter.

The ban meant an end to funding from the IOC for the IOA, no Indian officials attending Olympic meetings and Indian athletes banned from competing at the Olympics under their country's flag.

The sports code of the IOC makes it mandatory for officials to retire at 70 and limits their tenures in office to 12 years.