Doors have been reopened for India’s entry to the Olympic fold after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday agreed in principle to draw a roadmap for lifting the ban imposed on it in December last year.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in turn, has also agreed to follow the guidelines to be issued by the international body.
It happened after an Indian delegation led by Sports Minister Jitendra Singh met IOC officials at lausanne in Switzerland where the Minister clarified that the Government of India respects the autonomy of National Sports Federations and never interferes in their day-to-day affairs.
As a result of this decision, IOA elections held on December 5 will be considered null and void. The IOA has agreed to have fresh elections and hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to select its representatives next month.
In its statement, the IOC said it received “strong guarantees and a clear commitment” that the Indian Government will respect the autonomy of the Olympic movement.
“The main purpose of today’s meetings was to explore the possibility for the suspended IOA to hold free, fair, democratic and transparent elections on the basis of a revised IOA constitution and the Olympic Charter, with no outside interference, that could pave the way for the IOC to consider lifting its suspension of the IOA,” it said in the statement.
“In addition, a mutual understanding was reached to establish close cooperation between all parties concerned.
“It was agreed in particular that the drafting of the new Sports Bill will be undertaken in close coordination with the IOA and national federations, and with prior consultation with the IOC to ensure that it will be fully compatible with the principles and rules of the Olympic Movement.”
The IOC said the entire process will be closely “monitored and supervised” by it and “necessary measures” will be considered before lifting India’s suspension.
“The entire process will be closely monitored and supervised by the IOC, which will issue a roadmap for the suspended IOA and all its members to follow,” the statement said.
After the meeting, Singh said he was hopeful the suspension would be lifted soon.
“The road map has been decided to bring India back in the Olympic fold and more details are being worked out,” he told a news channel.
“The IOC has agreed to work with the Indian Government on a new proposed sports code, which is a major achievement. The IOC, IOA and the Government are on the same page,” the Minister added.
The run-up to the meeting was marred by the dramatic pullout of the main officials - acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and secretary general Randhir Singh -- of the body recognised by the IOC in protest of the international body’s decision to invite representatives of the body that was ‘illegally elected’ during the December 5 elections.
“The IOC was talking about holding fresh elections and another AGM earlier as well. So, in that front, it is nothing new. But, I can’t comment on our next move right now. We will first analyse under what clause the IOC has agreed to India’s note. Also, we have to take care of the High Court order. We will take our step accordingly soon,” Malhotra, who is also the president of Archery Association of India (AAI), told The Pioneer.
The IOC had first met the IOA delegation represented by AAI vice-president Tarlochan Singh, Squash and Racket Federation president N Ramachandran, Kayaking and Canoeing chief S Regunathan, Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra and Jharkhand Olympic Association head R K Anand.
After that the Sports Ministry delegation - Singh along with the Sports Secretary PK Deb, Beijing Olympics gold-medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and Olympian sailor Malav Shroff - had a discussion with the IOC officials.
The third and final round of meeting took place between all the three parties concerned where the delegates gave their views on the contentious Sports Bill and the amendments to the IOA’s constitution.