The Supreme Court on Monday said it would appoint a neutral person to run the administration of the Indian Olympic Association and directed the secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to hold talks with the International Olympic Committee on the issue. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on September 8 issued a final warning to the IOA to “resolve its governance issues” and hold elections by December, failing which the world sports body would impose sanctions on India. The IOC’s executive board, which met in Lausanne, Switzerland, had also decided not to recognize any “acting/interim president” after Narinder Batra was ousted as president of the Indian Olympic Association, saying it would The Secretary General will deal with Rajeev Mehta as the main point. Contact Ajay. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli asked the Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to hold talks with the Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations at the International Olympic Committee.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, suggested that a former Supreme Court judge be appointed to amend the Indian Olympic Committee’s constitution, create an electoral college and conduct elections.
“The second suggestion is that the governance of the administration may be delegated to a neutral person who will coordinate with the International Olympic Committee, in reference to the IOC’s letter dated 8 September 2022.
“The IOC has proposed a joint meeting in Lausanne on 27 September 2022 and it is necessary that an individual coordinate with the IOC in close consultation. To facilitate this exercise, we have requested the Solicitor General and indicated Provided that the Director, Youth Affairs and Sports, Secretary in the Ministry, has held talks with the Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations at the International Olympic Committee and returns to this Court on the next date of listing,” the bench said.
The top court will now hear the matter on September 22.
The IOC letter, sent by James McLeod, Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations, said: “During this transition period, and noting that the IOC does not currently recognize any ‘interim/acting President’ of NOCs from India The NOC Secretary-General shall, in close consultation and in agreement with the NOC Executive Council and the General Assembly, act as the main point of contact for coordinating the next steps with the IOC.” The IOC also stated that its Executive Board reserves the right to take further action at any stage of the process based on the development of the situation.
It had also decided to postpone its session to be held in Mumbai in May next year. “In view of the uncertain situation, the IOC session to be held in Mumbai in May 2023 has been postponed to September/October 2023,” the letter said. The IOC had earlier also threatened to suspend the IOA for its failure to hold elections at the earliest.
The IOA elections were to be held in December last year but could not be held due to amendments in the election process.
Last December, the IOA set up a six-member committee to look into the amendments to be made to its constitution before holding elections to align it with the National Sports Code.
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In May this year, Batra was removed from the post of IOA chief after the Delhi High Court annulled the post of ‘life member’ in Hockey India, through which he contested and won the 2017 apex body election. .
Batra later officially resigned from the post of IOA President. After he was removed by the High Court, Batra issued a statement announcing his decision not to contest the IOA elections.
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