The IOA has sought Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's intervention on the issue of non-allocation of separate funds to National Sports Federations for participation of teams in Commonwealth and Asian Games, saying such a move will impact the performance of Indian athletes.
Sports Authority of India had sent a circular to all NSFs on June 20, stating that no separate funds will be allocated for participation of Indian teams in Commonwealth Games/Asian Games, and the IOA said it was shocked by the decision.
"The IOA and its members are shocked and dismayed at this decision by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. As it is the allocation of funds for the NSFs for participation/preparation of their teams for the CWG/Asian Games is meagre when this is compared with the money spent by other countries for their athletes to prepare and participate in such mega sporting events," said the letter signed by IOA President N Ramachandran and Secretary General Rajeev Mehta.
"If this decision is implemented, this will seriously hinder not only the performance of the athletes in the long run but also undermine the confidence of the members of IOA vis-a-vis the Ministry of Sports. IOA wishes to place on record, on behalf of its members, if this decision is implemented the performance of athletes in the CWG/Asian Games will not bring glory to India.
"We urge you to intervene in this matter and restore the status quo as it used to be earlier when separate funds were allocated for the participation of Indian teams in mega events like Asian Games/CWG," the letter further stated.
While responding to a similar issue arising out of this June 20 letter to the NSFs, SAI Director General Jiji Thomson had told PTI that the decision was taken due to fund constraints, and additional funds will be allocated to all NSFs after the general budget on July 10.
He also said that the SAI was expecting to get more money in the full budget.
