IOA postpones Special GBM

The Indian Olympic Association has decided to postpone its Special General Body Meeting, which was scheduled to be held on June 9 in Chennai, citing pre-occupation of the various heads of National Sports Federations with the preparation of their athletes for the Rio Olympics.
The IOA had called the Special GBM in Chennai on June 9 to discuss India's preparation for the Olympics and some legal matters, but this meeting stands postponed and will be held after the Rio Games (August 5-21).
"This is to inform that many members have informed their inability to attend the meeting due to their pre-occupation with the preparation of Rio Olympic Games, hence they will not be able to attend the meeting," the IOA said in a statement.

"Keeping in view their inconvenience it was decided to postpone the meeting and the same will be held after the Rio Olympic Games," it added.
There were media reports that IOA Treasurer and All India Tennis Association chief Anil Khanna and Hockey India President Narinder Batra had objected the move to hold a special GBM in Chennai on the ground that it would cost a lot of money and there was no urgent need to call such a meeting.
They had said that an Executive Committee meeting can take stock of India's Olympic preparations and that should be held in New Delhi, where IOA has its headquarters and the seat of the government is located.

IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, however, said that the Special GBM was postponed due to pre-occupation of the top officials and not due to any other factor.
"The top officials and NSF heads are pre-occupied regarding preparation of their athletes for the Olympics and many athletes are also seeking Olympic qualifications. So, they are busy and that is the reason we have decided to postpone the meeting," Mehta said.
Another top official said that most likely the Executive Committee of the IOA will meet on June 9 or on some other date this month in New Delhi to take stock of India's Olympic preparations.