Representatives from the IOC, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the IOA and the Ministry of Sports held a meeting in Lausanne on 27 September, following a “final warning” by the international sports umbrella body to “finalize” the ban on the national Olympic body. The election was not announced after the “warning”. Next IOC Executive Board meeting (December 5-7).
Following the meeting, which also included India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra, the IOC issued a summary proposing, among other things, to change the position of an elected secretary general to a CEO appointed by the executive committee. ,
“The IOC/OCA will also propose additional elements (such as changing the position of the elected Secretary-General to an appointed position, so that the Secretary-General serves as CEO appointed/appointed by the Executive Committee), and including an independent Ethics Commission, including IOC guidelines and safety practices. According to a properly functioning Athletes Commission),” said the IOC in the summary which is in possession of PTI.
If the suggestions are implemented, it will be far-reaching in the context of Indian sports as it can take similar steps in other national sports federations. As of now, only a few NSFs such as the All India Football Federation have a salaried general secretary appointed by the executive committee.
The elections to the IOA were scheduled to be held in December last year but could not take place due to a pending case in the Delhi High Court where a petition was filed seeking its constitution to align it with the National Sports Code before holding elections. amendment was sought.
The IOC “in principle” agreed with most of the points raised by the Delhi High Court in its August decision, saying they were in line with the Olympic Charter and the basic principles of good governance, except for two key points.
The IOC has objections regarding the proposed 25 percent membership of players with voting rights in the IOA General Assembly.
The IOC’s stance to accept the Delhi High Court’s decision on September 22 and the Supreme Court’s order to work on amendments to the Constitution and appoint a former judge to oversee the elections will thus give hope that by declaring the IOA This complex issue can be solved. Elections ahead of the December meeting of the IOC Executive Board.
“The IOA constitution will be amended to incorporate necessary governance reforms. To this effect, the IOC/OCA will work closely with a judge appointed by the Supreme Court of India on the draft constitution as amended,” the IOC said.
“In principle, most of the points raised by the High Court of Delhi in its judgment dated 16 August 2022 are concurring to the IOC/OCA and consistent with the Olympic Charter and the basic principles of good governance of the Olympic Movement, except 2/3. A majority required for re-election (a simple majority, i.e. more than 50% of the validly cast votes, as in any election process, must be sufficient).
“…and, the appointment of 25% of the players as voting members within the IOA General Assembly and the Executive Committee (which should be refined and its mechanism re-discussed to make it workable and related to be consistent with the basic requirements) of membership of any NOC, in accordance with the Olympic Charter, and with common standards within the Olympic Movement).
An official who attended the joint meeting in Lausanne said that the Indian representatives have accepted the IOC’s proposal. He also said that state Olympic associations may also lose voting rights at the IOA General Assembly.
The IOC said that once the draft agreement with the IOC/OCA is finalized by the retired judge, it will be formally adopted by the IOA General Assembly.
“The IOA elections will be under the supervision of a former judge appointed by the Supreme Court and the IOC/OCA, in accordance with the newly approved IOA Constitution and the Olympic Charter. The entire process (including elections) should be completed before the IOC EB meeting in December 2022. ”
Meanwhile, Justice (Retd) L Nageswara Rao, who was entrusted by the Supreme Court to amend the IOA constitution, has called a meeting with the country’s major sports bodies on October 14.
Rao, in a notice issued last week, asked the original petitioner of the Delhi High Court, advocate Rahul Mehra, officials of the IOA, the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India, NIS Patiala, Athletics Federation of India, Badminton Association of India, National Association of India, Sports Authority of India, NIS Patiala, Athletics Federation of India, Badminton Association of India, etc. Rifle Association of India, Hockey India, All India Tennis Federation, All India Football Federation, All India Chess Federation, Weightlifting Federation of India and Amateur Boxing Federation of India will participate in a meeting to discuss the next developments.
Rao also invited Delhi High Court-appointed “consultant players” – Bindra, great long jumper Anju Bobby George and Olympian archer Laishram Bombayla Devi, as well as interested national sports federations and state Olympic associations – for a meeting in Jawaharlal invited. Nehru Stadium Complex in New Delhi.
The Delhi High Court had on August 16 ordered the formation of a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to manage the affairs of the IOA. The High Court said the IOA’s “persistent reluctance” to adhere to the Sports Code made it imperative that its matters be placed in the hands of the CoA, which includes former Supreme Court judge Justice Anil R Dave, former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi included. and Vikas Swarup, former Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs.
But, the Supreme Court had on August 18 ordered status quo to be maintained after the IOA filed a special leave petition in the apex court against the Delhi High Court’s decision.
Rao said he is convening the meeting as per the Supreme Court’s direction to amend the IOA constitution and prepare a road map for conducting IOA elections so that the entire process can be completed by December 15, 2022.
