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A day before the Delhi High Court hearing on the tenures of sports administrators, the standoff between the government and the Indian Olympic Association intensified. Suresh Kalmadi & Co. got letters of support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Asian body on Tuesday which described the sports ministry's recent notification on limiting the terms of sports administrators as a violation of the Olympic Charter.Addressing a media conference, IOA secretary general Randhir Singh, who is also India's representative at the world body, said that the government's directive might even invite potential sanctions, including the suspension of the country's membership with the IOC."The number of terms of the office-bearers and a potential age limit for the members of the NOC (national Olympic committee, in this case the IOA) or the National Sports Federations shall not be decided or imposed by law or external body's decision but shall be decided by the respective organizations," the world body stated in an official communiqué."Any action taken by an external body in relation to these matters would be viewed as a violation of the principle of autonomy expressed in the Olympic Charter and this might regrettably expose the NOC to protective measures and potential sanctions."Citing Rule 28.9 of the charter, it further added that such sanctions might include "suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from such NOC."Randhir said he had forwarded the letter to Sports Ministry and hoped that the issue would be resolved soon. "I hope better sense will prevail. Going ahead with the regulation would invite sanction, which may lead to a complete ban on India. We have to decide if we really want our athletes to compete in international events and host major events in India. If IOC suspends us, all international federations would follow suit and our athletes would be the real victims in such a scenario. It may even jeopardise the Commonwealth Games even though I don't want to be too negative," he said.He gave the example of Kuwait whose Olympic committee was suspended by the IOC earlier this year due to its government's interference.Interestingly, the IOC itself has set a cap on the number of terms for its members and officials, but the Indian administrators aren't keen to take a cue from the mother body."The IOC itself doesn't impose any such restrictions on the sports bodies. It's for the NOCs and NSFs to decide. If IOA wants it, let its general assembly take a decision on it. Any third party cannot force it on them," said Randhir.NEW DELHI: While the Indian Olympic Association hardened its stand on the autonomy issue of itself and the various sports federations, the sports ministry stuck to its stand of enforcing regulatory guidelines.On Monday, Sports Minister MS Gill defended his decision, insisting the issue was not about interfering in the IOA's working but trying to bring in a system that helps improve sports administration. "This is no new order from me. I have only restored the 1975 regulation of the government by removing an improper roadblock put in place in 2002," Gill told The Indian Express.He said the government guidelines were legally enforceable (as per HC ruling in 2009) and there was no attempt to curtail powers or autonomy of any federation. "IOC restricts the tenure of its own office-bearers to two terms," he said. "When they claim every right to autonomy under Olympic charter, they must also follow the IOC charter in its spirit."The new government notification has actually relaxed the limit to three terms with or without break for the president. I think 12 years is long enough for anyone wanting to make a difference. For those who want to be in power for 24, 34 or 44 years, what can I say," he said, taking a dig at those who have been at the helm for more than a decade. "For those who have been in power, the question here simply is: should we, in India, allow people to continue leading federations till the end of time?" he asked.Asked about the claims by sports federations and the IOA that the timing of the notification will affect the Commonwealth Games, Gill rubbished the notion. "There is a clear statement that the present office bearers can complete their tenures before the new notifications come into effect. And while the IOA elections themselves are due only in July 2012, most of the sports federations have their elections post 2011. I don't see how the ongoing projects will suffer," he said.On the IOC charter that warns of suspension in case of government interference Gill said there could be no arbitrariness. "The IOC has to get in touch with us once before taking any decision. In any case, the government is not ordering federations or the IOA how to work; we have simply taken a step long overdue in bringing in some accountability."Most people may not be aware but there is a law governing sports in the US, France, Malaysia and several other countries. Nothing stops the Indian government from doing the same but there has to be some self regulation also," he said.The minister has decided he will not back down on an issue that not only affects sports in the entire country but also has the support of the lawmakers. "For once, the entire parliament is in consensus on this issue. On April 22, there was a three hour long discussion in which members, cutting across party lines, sought a limit to the tenure of sports administrators. So to project this issue as simply a personal thing is wrong," he said, refuting allegations that the step was taken because of his alleged differences with IOA president Suresh Kalmadi.Uthra G chaturvedi
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