IOA gets IOPC backing on dialogue with Sports Ministry

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), seeking a dialogue with the Sports Ministry on the issue of good governance, has received the backing of IOC which has asked it to follow the principle of responsible autonomy in all deliberations with the government.

IOA President Narinder Batra had recently sought time from the Sports Ministry to discuss "good governance and implementation of revised Sports Code" after the IOC warned against government interference in the functioning of the National Olympic Committee.

In an email to Sports Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar, Batra said it's time that all stakeholders come under one roof on the issue to avoid a situation where Indian athletes risk the chance of participating in 2020 Tokyo Olympics under the Olympic flag.

Batra also attached IOC reply to his e-mail.

"We fully support your efforts to work in close coordination with the competent authorities in India and establish a constructive dialogue in order to (i) avoid any undue interference and, at the same time, (ii) make sure that the basic principles of good governance are fully implemented within the Olympic Movement in India," an IOC letter to Batra said.

IOC shared a document on basic principles and approach that should prevail in the relationship between government authorities and asked it to make it basis of IOA's discussions with the government to avoid "unnecessary disputes".

Batra wrote to Bhatnagar that "proper process not being followed by GOI MYAS in relation to proposed changes in draft Sports Code."