Sports minister happy with IOC decision

Sports Minister Jitendra Singh Wednesday welcomed the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Executive Board meeting to lift the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

IOC president Thomas Bach has said the Executive Board welcomed the IOA decision to amend a clause in its constitution "to meet the basic standards of ethics, good governance and integrity". The Executive Board is also likely to lift the ban on India that was slapped December 4 last year.

Jitendra Singh in a statement said that IOC's decision would help Indian sportspersons to participate in multi-disciplinary sports events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games under the national flag.

The minister said that the pride and prestige associated with playing for the country under its national flag motivates and lifts the performance of sportspersons.

Jitendra Singh had led a delegation to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, in May in an effort to ensure that a road map was agreed to and conditions were created for ending the suspension of the IOA at the earliest.

The IOA has, on its part, agreed to amend its constitution as per IOC's requirements, particularly on the issue of keeping formally charged sportspersons and persons out of IOA elections.