Tough IOA says India must accept charge sheet clause to be readmitted

The International Olympic Committee's executive board on Thursday insisted that the Indian Olympic Association should modify its constitution and accept a "charge-sheet" clause to ensure good governance.

India, however, remains defiant, with IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh saying that the charge-sheet clause is an ordinary issue and that no amendment is possible without the general body's approval.

As a result, the International Olympic Committee has refused to admit India into its Olympic fold.

In a statement on Thursday, the IOC said: "The Executive Board heard a report that the IOA's General Assembly had approved most of the amendments to the IOA's constitution requested by the IOC, but one specific clause had not been adopted. This clause, which deals specifically with the eligibility of members, is key to the good governance of the NOC and needs to be fully accepted before the suspended IOA can proceed with the elections. An official notification of the IOC's position will be sent to the IOA."

IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh said in Delhi on Thursday that there was "no formal intimation" and the "charge sheet clause was an ordinary issue".

IOA has been in exile since last December when the IOC's executive board suspended India after Lalit Bhanot, who is facing corruption charges linked to the scandal-hit New Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010, was elected secretary-general of the IOA.

The IOC wanted the IOA to amend its constitution so that officials facing criminal or corruption proceedings in court would be kept out of the IOA election process.

The IOC has even received support from the Indian sports minister Jitendra Singh, who also wants a 'clean' process in the national Olympic committee.

The IOC versus IOA stand-off intensified on August 25 when the IOA general body rejected the IOC's demand.

The IOA's general body decided to bar only those who had been convicted and not just charged.

Till IOC admits IOA, Indian athletes will continue to participate in IOC or Olympic Council of Asia-sanctioned events under the IOC banner.