IOA, NSFs meet PM over controversial sports bill
June 14th, 2011 - 12:24 am ICT by IANS
New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) A 12-member delegation of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Sports Federations (NSF) met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Monday and asked him to intervene in scrapping the “draconian” National Sports Development Bill proposed by the sports ministry.
Led by acting IOA president Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the officials met the prime minister at his residence for 35 minutes.
IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh, Hockey India secretary general Narendra Batra, shooting federation secretary Avtar Singh Sethi, judo’s secretary Jagdish Tytler were also present along with cricket board’s vice-president Rajeev Shukla and senior member Anurag Thakur.
Malhotra said that the prime minister gave them a patient hearing and was sympathetic towards their cause.
“We told the prime minister that this is a draconian bill and that we have rejected the bill outright. Dr. Singh said he doesn’t know much about this bill and will ask the sports ministry to submit a detailed report,” said Malhotra.
The officials also told the prime minister that they are fine with Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) auditing the accounts of sports organisations and the provision for free and fair elections.
Malhotra said sports has always been a state subject and now the government wants to have full control over sports by introducing this bill.
“Sports has always been a state subject, we don’t want the government to have total control over sports. The bill is in violation of the Olympic Charter and India could be banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for government interference. Kuwait was also banned by the IOC for government interference,” said Malhotra.
Malhotra also presented to the prime minister the IOC letter, threatening the IOA with suspension if their autonomy is infringed.
Shukla said the bill would also empower the government to interfere in selection matters.
“Tomorrow the government will try to interfere in the selection matters. This is not acceptable. The BCCI does not get any financial aid from the government and but we are still adhering to the tenure guidelines,” said Shukla.
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- Ajit Pal named Chef-de-Mission for London Olympics - Apr 02, 2012
- IOA rejects revised sports bill - Oct 18, 2011
- IOA officials lambast Maken for seeking Kalmadi's removal - Apr 25, 2011
- Kalmadi welcome to resume as IOA president, says Tarlochan - Jan 19, 2012
- IOA forms Ethics Commission comprising retired judges - Sep 12, 2011
- HI lauds appointment of Ajit Pal's as Chef-de-Mission - Apr 03, 2012
- NSFs reject age and tenure clause, bat for transparency - May 02, 2011
- Court upholds government ruling on tenure, age for sports officials (Lead) - Nov 02, 2010
Tags: avtar singh, cricket board, dr singh, government interference, indian olympic association, international olympic committee, jagdish tytler, manmohan singh, member delegation, olympic charter, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, selection matters, sethi, shooting federation, shukla, sports development, sports ministry, state subject, vijay kumar