The appointment of scam-tainted officials Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as Life Presidents of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has drawn severe criticism.
Reacting to the development, Sports Minister Vijay Goel has said that the government will seek a report on the matter and take appropriate action.
We are shocked at the resolution passed by IOA to make Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Chautala life presidents. Both (Kalmadi and Chautala) are facing serious corruption charges. We will seek a report and take appropriate action.Vijay Goel, Sports Minister
Former sports minister Ajay Maken also hit out at the resolution passed by the IOA. He said:
During Congress’ time, Suresh Kalmadi was removed from the 2010 Commonwealth Games chairman’s post, and now, Kalmadi has been made the life president during BJP’s time. Interestingly, after the Commonwealth Games debacle, the BJP were against Kalmadi. How can this be justified?Ajay Maken
Suresh Kalmadi’s Career Path
Kalmadi served as the president of the IOA 1996 to 2011. He was jailed for ten months for his involvement in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games corruption scandal, but later released on bail.
The 72-year-old Pune-born administrator, also a former Congress Member of Parliament, was a powerful sports official in his heyday.
He was the president of Asian Athletics Association for 13 years from 2000 to 2013. He was made Life President of the Asian athletics body last year. Kalmadi was also a member of the powerful ruling council of the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) from 2001 to 2013.
Abhay Singh Chautala’s Career Path
Abhay Singh Chautala served as the president of Indian Olympic Association from December 2012 to February 2014 when the IOA was suspended by the parent International Olympic Committee for fielding charge-sheeted candidates at the elections. His election as IOA chief was annulled by the IOC.
Only after the IOA Constitution was amended to ensure that charge-framed candidates are not allowed to contest elections did the IOC revoke the suspension on IOA in February 2014.
Chautala had served as president of erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation which was terminated from recognition in the world body AIBA in 2013 for possible manipulation in IABF elections. Recently, he was elected as president of one rival faction of the Haryana Olympic Association, which was reportedly given recognition by the IOA.
Chautala reacted sharply to Vijay Goel’s comments.
I was surprised by the reaction of Sports Minister Vijay Goel. He was claiming that there are criminal and corruption cases against me. The case against me is not a criminal case, it is a political case. Mr Goel has failed in his responsibility as a Sports Minister. I would advise him to fulfil his responsibility as Sports Minister because if he does that, our medal count will increase manifold and he will get credit for that.Abhay Chautala
Are Chautala and Kalmadi Eligible for the Post?
Before Kalmadi and Chautala, only Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who served as acting IOA chief between 2011 and 2012, was made the Life President, according to the IOA's official website.
The government doesn’t interfere in the working of the Indian Olympic Association, because the IOA is an autonomous body. The association gets its powers from the International Olympic Committee.
According to the IOC's code of conduct, those who have been charged with corruption are not eligible to hold a post in the IOA and cannot contest elections. In keeping with these rules, Chautala and Kalmadi cannot be appointed as Life Presidents of IOA.
(Source: PTI and News 18)
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