IOC issues final warning to IOA, to suspend India if elections not held by December
IOC issues final warning to IOA, to suspend India if elections not held by December: On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a final warning to the IOA, saying that if the organisation does not “resolve its governance concerns” and hold elections by December, the IOC will prohibit India from participating in international competitions.
After Narinder Batra was removed as president of the Indian Olymic Association, the IOC executive board agreed on Thursday in Lausanne not to recognise any “acting/interim president” and instead to deal with secretary general Rajeev Mehta.
Taking into account the ongoing internal disputes, governance shortcomings, and court cases, the IOC Executive Board decided to issue a final warning and consider the immediate suspension of the NOC of India at the next IOC Executive Board meeting in December 2022 if the NOC of India has not addressed and resolved its governance issues to the satisfaction of the IOC by that time.
The IOC wrote to the IOA, “…and operate properly through its governing bodies, i.e. the Executive Committee and General Assembly, and meet its commitments, in particular by holding its quadrennial elections in conformity with the Olympic Charter.”
Statement
IOC Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations James McLeod wrote, “During this transition period, and given that the IOC does not currently recognise any ‘interim/acting president of the NOC of India, the NOC Secretary General will serve as the main point of contact to coordinate the next steps with the IOC.”
“In close consultation and agreement with the NOC Executive Council and General Assembly.” Depending on how things progress, the IOC’s Executive Board may take additional action at any time, as stated by the IOC.
The International Olympic Committee also opted to delay its session, which was supposed to take place in Mumbai in March 2019.
The IOC Session that was scheduled for Mumbai in May 2023 has been moved to September/October 2023 due to “the uncertain scenario,” according to the letter.
The IOC Session in 2023 will either remain in India or be moved depending on the choices made at the IOC Executive Board meeting in December 2022 about the NOC of India. The IOC has announced that it will convene a meeting with all relevant stakeholders in Lausanne later this month in order to reach a positive resolution and provide a path toward the elections of the IOA.
Remark
McLeod wrote, “Given the foregoing, we propose to organise a joint meeting on 27 September 2022 in Lausanne, and my colleague Jérôme Poivey, Associate Director, NOC Relations Department, will get back to you and other involved parties accordingly for the details of this meeting.”
Once upon a time, the IOC had also threatened to suspend the IOA if its election wasn’t held as soon as possible. It was originally planned to hold the IOA elections in December of last year, but changes to the voting procedure prevented that from happening.
Before holding elections in December to bring the IOA into conformity with the National Sports Code, the organisation organised a six-person committee to investigate the necessary constitutional revisions.
Due to the Delhi High Court’s decision to abolish the position of “life member” in Hockey India, via which Batra had run for and won the 2017 elections for the top body, Batra was ousted as IOA chief in May of this year.
After some time, Batra formally handed in his resignation as IOA President. Batra had made a statement after his removal by the High Court, saying that he will not be running for the IOA.
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