IOC warns IOA of possible ban if Sport Code is followed in polls

New Delhi: In a new twist to controversial elections of the IOA, the International Olympic Committee on Friday warned of a possible ban on the national sports body if government regulations are followed in its poll on December 5.

In a joint letter to Indian Olympic Association acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and secretary general Randhir Singh, who himself is a presidential candidate, IOC and OCA chiefs Jacques Rogge and Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah have asked the national Olympic body to clarify its stand by November 30, failing which the IOC will be forced to take a tough stand.

"From the letter of 19 November, it is our understanding that IOA is unable to confirm that IOA's elections will be held strictly in accordance with the rules of the Olympic Charter and the IOA's constitution currently in force. On the contrary, it is mentioned that the government regulations shall apply for the IOA's elections, thus ignoring the Olympic Charter and the IOA's constitution," the joint letter said.

"From the letter of 21 November, we understand that the IOA strongly condemns those government regulations and government interference in IOA's election process. However, the IOA seems to continue developing its election process on the basis established by the government regulations.

"The situation is therefore extremely confusing, not to say contradictory, since, on the one hand, the IOA is claiming that the government regulations derived from the 'Sports Code' interfere with the election process and are not acceptable; however, on the other hand, the IOA is saying that it is bound by those government regulations and will continue proceeding with the IOA elections on the basis of those regulations," the letter said.

The letter invited the IOA and the government authorities to refer to the applicable rules of the Olympic Charter in relation to the specific matter.

"Unless you rectify the situation with immediate effect and give a clear and and written guarantees to the IOC to ensure that the elections be held strictly on the basis of the Olympic Charter and the IOA's constitution, we inform you that a proposal for suspension of your NOC will be presented to to the IOC Executive Board at its next meeting on 4-5 December 2012, based on Rules 27.9 and 59.1.4 of the Olympic Charter," Rogge and Al Sabah said in their joint letter.