Power play: Sports pays heavy price for politics
8 Dec 2012 6:42 AM IST
Indian sports suffered the second deadly blow of the week on Friday after the Sports Ministry derecognised Archery Association of India (AAI) and Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) with immediate effect for ‘violating the age and tenure guidelines’ of the much-talked about Sports Code of the government. The move came close on the heels of AIBA’s (International Amateur Boxing Association) handing over a provisional suspension to IABF on late Thursday.
Explaining the government’s stand, sports minister Jitendra Singh said, ‘AAI held its elections on 9 November. While the procedures adopted were in conformity with the procedures laid down in Sports Code and common practice, the association violated the age and tenure restrictions prescribed in Sports Code. The president elect of AAI has served for more than three consecutive terms and is also above the age of 70. High Court has clearly stated that government will not grant recognition to AAI unless they hold elections as per Sports Code. In view of the direction, the government has no option but to withdraw recognition of AAI.’
Octogenarian BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra was re-elected as AAI chief for the 10th term last month. It means he will be at the helm of AAI for an unprecedented 37 years when his term ends.
Sports Code and Olympic Charter fix 12 years as tenure guidelines for presidents.
The worst impact of Friday’s action is that government will stop funding AAI and IABF with immediate effect. The aspect of this entire controversy, which started with the introduction of Sports Code and culminated with IOC slapping ban on India’s apex sports body, which stands out is IOA’s utter reluctance to amend its constitution to incorporate Sports Code. IOC and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have repeatedly urged IOA to include Sports Code in its constitution for the last two years, but it didn’t agree to it.
In a country where Olympic glories are rare, India’s record medal haul in 2012 London Games ushered a new era of hope and ambition. It’s ironical that within six months of the great feat, the athletes are robbed of even the opportunity to compete in international events.
Explaining the government’s stand, sports minister Jitendra Singh said, ‘AAI held its elections on 9 November. While the procedures adopted were in conformity with the procedures laid down in Sports Code and common practice, the association violated the age and tenure restrictions prescribed in Sports Code. The president elect of AAI has served for more than three consecutive terms and is also above the age of 70. High Court has clearly stated that government will not grant recognition to AAI unless they hold elections as per Sports Code. In view of the direction, the government has no option but to withdraw recognition of AAI.’
Octogenarian BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra was re-elected as AAI chief for the 10th term last month. It means he will be at the helm of AAI for an unprecedented 37 years when his term ends.
Sports Code and Olympic Charter fix 12 years as tenure guidelines for presidents.
The worst impact of Friday’s action is that government will stop funding AAI and IABF with immediate effect. The aspect of this entire controversy, which started with the introduction of Sports Code and culminated with IOC slapping ban on India’s apex sports body, which stands out is IOA’s utter reluctance to amend its constitution to incorporate Sports Code. IOC and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have repeatedly urged IOA to include Sports Code in its constitution for the last two years, but it didn’t agree to it.
In a country where Olympic glories are rare, India’s record medal haul in 2012 London Games ushered a new era of hope and ambition. It’s ironical that within six months of the great feat, the athletes are robbed of even the opportunity to compete in international events.
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