30 November,2012 11:20 AM IST | | Agencies
The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) can avoid suspension from the International Olympic Committee by calling off the controversial elections slated for December 5, Indian Olympics Association (IOA) Secretary General Randhir Singh said yesterday.
The IOC had on Wednesday threatened to propose IOA's suspension to its Executive Board next week after the latter said that government regulations would apply for the election. "We cannot bypass the Olympic charter as IOA name was given to us by IOC," Randhir told reporters yesterday.
Randhir Singh
"We can still avoid it by calling off the elections," Randhir added. "I have asked the president of IOA (Vijay Kumar Malhotra) not to hold the elections. The IOC has clearly said that they will not recognise the election results in the current scenario. What is the hurry?" asked Singh, who withdrew from the IOA polls recently.
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He also said that the IOA, the IOC and the Indian government needed to first sit down and resolve the issue and the elections can be held later. "I have repeatedly told Malhotra that the IOC was very serious but they didn't understand. They continued with the election process since they thought they can bully everyone," said Randhir.
Chautala to become Prez
With Randhir Singh withdrawing his nomination for the post of IOA president, Abhay Singh Chautala is set to be elected unopposed in the IOA elections to be held on December 5.
Meanwhile, many of Chautala's key associates are also set to be elected unopposed after many candidates owing allegiance to the Randhir Singh faction withdrew from the fray. The three-member IOA Election Commission, headed by Justice (retd) Anil Dev Singh, is expected to put up the final list of candidates today.
Virendra Nanavati of the Swimming Federation of India will become a senior Vice-President with no other candidate in the fray while Lalit Bhanot is set to take over as the Secretary General. Anil Khanna of All India Tennis Association will have no contest for the treasurer's post.
