The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has warned India’s Olympic Association (IOA) that it might face suspension if they are unable to hold elections in the “coming weeks.”
The IOA’s elections were supposed to be held in December 2021. However, due to various amendments in the election process, they were not able to take place within the set time-frame.
In a letter to the IOA, the Olympic council of Asia and the IOC stated they have been monitoring India’s internal issues “with great concern.”
“The IOC and the OCA have been following, with great concern, the latest developments affecting the Indian Olympic Association,” IOC said in the letter. “Should the IOA fail to fulfill its obligations and be unable to organize its quadrennial elections properly within the coming weeks, the IOC will, unfortunately, have no other option but to consider appropriate protective measures vis–vis the IOA, including a suspension, until the IOA can operate as normal and hold its elections in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the IOA Constitution.”
The letter urged the IOA to immediately convene an executive council meeting, hold their general assembly to resolve their issues, and issue an election date as soon as possible.
The resignation of Narinder Batra as the IOA president unsettled the leadership structure within India’s sport landscape. Batra resigned after a ruling by the Delhi High Court nullified Batra’s post of as a ‘life member’ in Hockey India.
Batra subsequently resigned on Monday from his post as President of the IOA and the International Hockey Federation (FIH), yet announced that he would not contest any elections.
“It is very unfortunate to note that multiple legal proceedings have been initiated, which have only caused delays and created unnecessary complications so far,” the letter said, urging the IOA to resolve the situation and confirm an election date “without any further delay.”
If the IOC decides to suspend the IOA, it will be a huge blow to the country’s athletes. Funding for sports programs would be cut and Olympic officials would be unable to participate in Olympic meetings.
A suspension would place India and the IOC in an awkward position as Mumbai is slated to host the next IOC Session in May or June 2023. The Olympic meeting will be India’s first since the country hosted the IOC in 1983.
The IOA was previously banned by the IOC in 2012 following elections that saw a dubious official become its secretary general.
FIFA is also considering an international ban on the All India Football Federation. The governing body of football in the country has until September 15 to complete elections and necessary constitutional reforms.
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