Delhi High Court appoints three-member board to preside over the Indian Olympic Association

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday appointed a new three member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to oversee the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had warned the IOA it might face suspension if they were unable to hold elections in the “coming weeks.” This new court ruling hopes to settle IOC concerns, with Mumbai slated to host the next IOC Session in 2023.

The ruling also sought to bring the body’s constitution in line with the National Sports Code to now hold elections which have been delayed since December.

“The history of persistent recalcitrance of the IOA for almost half a century to comply with the Sports Code, despite its consistent assurance to the government, the societal concerns and the larger public good, make it imperative that the IOA’s affairs be put in the hands of a Committee of Administrators, similar to what has been directed by the Supreme Court on May 18, 2022 in the case of another NSF in All India Football Federation vs. Rahul Mehra & Ors,” the court said in a 72-page judgment.

As a result the court has appointed Justice Anil R. Dave, a former judge of the Supreme Court, as the interim chairman of the CoA, while former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi and former foreign secretary Vikas Swarup will round out the three member board. In addition to the seated chairpersons, Beijing 2008 Olympics gold medalist Abhinav Bindra and long jumper Anju Bobby George were also appointed as consultants to the CoA.

The court, while criticizing the IOA for not following national sport code, it also instituted a maximum term of three years in which office-bearers and executive committee members may serve.

“Nobody can contemplate of a permanent position in any organization which discharges public functions and receives government funds and recognition. Indeed, it would be sporting, democratic and honorable for an individual to gracefully move-on in life once her/his tenure of office gets over. There is no place for staleness. Sports and sporting activities are about the excitement of competing to win and excel against the best. Fair competition and the transparency of processes, are immutable elements in matters governing sports administration,” the court said.

The proceedings also ruled women athletes should have the right to vote and serve in the IOA’s executive committee and general body.

“Sports administration is not a male preserve. It is a matter of record that in all its 95 years of existence the IOA has never had a woman as its president or secretary general. Surely women do aspire to be in significant positions in the decision-making process. Their presence both in the GB, as well as the EC of the IOA, will lend to fruition of their valid aspirations,” the court said.

The courts rulings and new by-laws come on the heels of the IOC recent request that the IOA hold elections as soon as possible to remain in good standing within the international sport community.

The IOC had banned the IOA in late 2012 for violating its electoral and government regulations. The suspension was lifted 14 months later during the Sochi 2014 Games.

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