IOA elections only in 2018, says panel

The executive committee of the Indian Olympic Association decided here on Friday to hold elections in 2018. IOA president N. Ramachandran said the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Committee of Asia had clarified that the tenure of the body was four years from the day it was elected.

“The current body assumed office in February, 2014. Earlier, IOA elections were held in the Olympic year. As the new constitution of the IOA doesn’t say anything about conducting elections in the Olympic year, I wrote to the IOC for clarification. According to the Olympic charter, every national body is elected for a four-year term,” he added.

The confirmation from the IOC is a shot in the arm for Ramachandran who had not been in good terms with some key members in the IOA including Hockey India president Narinder Batra. Ahead of the EC meeting here, Ramachandran buried the hatchet with Batra to pave the way for the decision on elections.

Ramachandran said a three-member committee comprising IOA secretary Rajiv Mehta, treasurer Anil Khanna and senior vice president Virendra Nanavati had been formed to resolve infighting in boxing, basketball and gymnastics.

“The committee will sit with both factions and try to resolve their differences within two months. A spirit of forget and forgive is necessary to move forward,” he added.

Ramachandran said the IOA did not expect Goa to host the National Games. “Chhattisgarh is keen to host the National Games and I hope they do in 2017 because 2018 is going to be a hectic year for our athletes. Meanwhile, Maharashtra has been shortlisted to stage the 2020 Asian Beach Games,” he added.