CHENNAI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, decided to take to the centre a proposal which might see the country host the 2032 Olympic Games. They are also planning to put in front of the government a blueprint to host the 2026 and the 2030 Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Narinder Batra revealed this after being elected president, comfortably beating Anil Khanna by a big margin in the election. While the former got 142, the latter secured only 13. “Once I settle down, IOA will take a proposal to the government to host the 2032 Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2026 CWG. We should think big but hosting these Games depends on government as it is the government which will sanction the funds.”
Sporting relations with Pakistan was a predictable question and Batra, who is also head of the international hockey federation (FIH), opined it would be difficult to engage in bilateral events. “As far as international multilateral events, organised by the international federations are concerned, we have to play against Pakistan. But I think it is not possible to play them in bilateral events unless the relation between the countries improve. Moreover, their behaviour will have to improve.”
The validity of these elections is subject to the final decision on an application brought to the Delhi High Court by sports lawyer Rahul Mehra. He has alleged the IOA has violated the National Sports Code and sought an order stopping the elections. While the court refused to put a stay on the elections, it did say its validity was subject to a final decision. The next hearing is on Friday.
Batra did not want to be dragged into the case. “I will not answer any questions relating to a matter which is pending in a court of law. But I don’t know how IOA is not following the Sports Code. The constitution of the IOA of 2013 was approved by the government, the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). After that what changes in the Code was not accepted by the IOA, I don’t know.”
Batra becoming president was academic after Khanna withdrew his nomination. However, there was a contest for the post because Khanna had withdrawn after the December 3 deadline. Incumbent secretary general Rajeev Mehta was re-elected for a second term without any contest as he was the lone candidate.
Meanwhile, Mehta said there were no IOC observers at the election as there was no issue. “Nobody from the IOC were here to observe as they expressed no issue with the election. We will forward the results to them soon.”
He also confirmed that no de-recognised federation and charge-sheeted individuals took part in the voting process.
IOA office-bearers
President: Narinder Batra. Senior vice-president: RK Anand. Vice-president: Addille Sumariwalla, Birendra Prasad Baishya, VD Nanavati, Sudhanshu Mittal, Sunaina Kumari, K Govindraj, Kuldeep Vats, Karan Chautala. Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta. Treasurer: Anandeshwar Pandey. Joint Secretaries: SM Bali, Rakesh Gupta, Namdev Shirgaonkar, Onkar Singh, DV Sitaram Rao, Vikram Sisodia. Executive Council: Adhip Das, Ajit Banerjee, Balbir Singh Kushwah, Digvijay Singh, Dushyant Chautala, Gurudutta Bhakta, Hemochandra Singh, VM Prasood, Rupak Debroy, Abhijit Sarkar.
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