Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) Despite stiff opposition from General Association of National Sports Federations (GANSF), the sports ministry is unlikely to have a rethink on clauses limiting the age and office tenure in the proposed National Sports Development Bill.

After hearing the arguments against the clauses of some 40 NSFs at the sports ministry-constituted four-member committee, headed by retired justice Mukul Mudgal, a top official of the department of of sports said there is no question of dropping the clauses stipulating limits on the age and tenure of office.

The official told IANS that the government is firm that the officials must call it a day on attaining the age of 70.

“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which also has age and tenure clauses in its charter. If the IOA can accept IOC Charter, why can’t it adhere to government guidelines?,” the official said, on the condition of anonymity.

“Above all, the sports rules in our country will be defined by our government, not by any foreign body,” he stressed.

Sports Minister Ajay Maken said the bill is only seeking to end nepotism by introducing the age and tenure norms, which are in total conformity with best practices followed and recommended by the top international sports federations.

“That federations which represent the nation at various international fora were in a way repository of the faith and prestige of the people of India, and it was only logical and in the national interest that they conformed to transparent and universally accepted best practices of sports governance,” said Maken in a statement.