[New Delhi] Olympic Champ Bindra Targets IOA For Sports Ministry
Bindra backing IOA suspension, lauds ministry decision
Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra today backed the Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend the Indian Olympic Association and called it a “good step” following the sports body’s move to honour two scam-tainted administrators.
The IOA named its former presidents Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as life presidents on Tuesday, a decision that has been heavily criticised as both are facing allegations of corruption.
As a result, the Vijay Goel-led ministry yesterday suspended the IOA.
“The @Olympics movement and specially the movement in India can no longer hide behind autonomy. It’s the age of good governance and ethics,” Bindra wrote on his twitter handle.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist – India’s lone gold medal winner in individual sport at the Games – added, “Change in Indian sport will only happen if mandated. A law is necessary in India. A good step by @IndiaSports & @vijaygoelbjp to suspend IOA.”
Cracking the whip, the Sports Ministry yesterday suspended the Olympic body till the time it reverses the decision to make the tainted duo of Kalmadi and Chautala its life presidents.
The government took the firm decision after IOA failed to reply to its showcause notice within the deadline.
Kalmadi spent nine months in jail after allegations, stemming from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He was released on bail pending an appeal to Delhi High Court and has denied any wrongdoing.
Chautala is also facing unrelated corruption charges in an ongoing court case. He has also denied the allegations
Tag: Sports minister Vijay Goel
Olympic “Shooting” Champ Abhinav Bindra Targets IOA For Sports Ministry
Tainted Chautala Lashes at Vijay Goel Calling Him Failed Sports Minister
[New Delhi]Tainted Chautala Lashes Out at Vijay Goel Calling Him Failed Sports Minister
Haryanavi Chautala said Goel has failed as a Sports Minister
Tainted former IOA President Abhay Singh Chautala today lashed out at Vijay Goel for criticising his appointment as Life President of the national Olympic body, saying the Sports Minister should first focus on his job as he has failed to fulfil his responsibilities.
Sports Minister Goel yesterday criticised the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for making the tainted duo of Suresh Kalmadi and Chautala Life Presidents, saying it was “totally unacceptable” as both of them were facing serious criminal and corruption charges.
Kalmadi and Chautala were made Life Presidents by the IOA at its Annual General Meeting in Chennai yesterday.
“I was surprised by the reaction of Sports Minister Vijay Goel. He was claiming that there are criminal and corruption cases against me. The case against me is not a criminal case, it is a political case,” a livid Chautala said.
“Mr Goel has failed in his responsibility as a Sports Minister. I would advise him to fulfil his responsibility as Sports Minister because if he does that, our medal count will increase manifold and he will get credit for that. Instead of getting into a controversy without knowing full facts, he should focus on his job,” Chautala added.
Vijay Kalmadi served as IOA President from 1996 to 2011 and was jailed for 10 months for his involvement in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games corruption scandal but was later released on bail.
Chautala served as the President of IOA from December 2012 to February 2014 when the national Olympic body was suspended by the International Olympic Committee for fielding charge-sheeted candidates at the elections. His election as IOA chief was annulled by the IOC
Recent Comments