IOA should accept all IOC clauses: Sushil Kumar

Sushil Kumar

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) Double Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar feels the suspended Indian Olympic Association (IOA) should accept the terms and conditions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to pave the way for India’s return to the fold.

The 30-year-old grappler Thursday said charge-sheeted officials should stay away from the administration of Indian sports and IOA for the sake of Indian athletes.

“The IOA should accept all the terms and conditions set down by the IOC for the sake of Indian athletes. When the whole world is accepting the IOC charter, why shouldn’t we? What is the harm in keeping out charge-sheeted individuals,” said Sushil, who won a bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012.

“Wherever we go to play, we represent India. It is a matter of pride for us. The Indian flag matters a lot to us. but now even it has been taken away from us. We cannot play under the national flag nor the anthem will be played if we win any medal,” Sushil said.

Sushil’s comments came after IOC rejected the request of the suspended IOA to allow charge-sheeted officials to continue in and run for office.

The IOC executive board met Wednesday in Buenos Aires and decided that the ban on IOA will continue if the apex body for sports in India doesn’t change its constitution to keep out charge-sheeted individuals.

Since the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in December 2012, the IOC has been working towards finding a solution to improve good governance within the IOA.

The IOC also provided the IOA with a roadmap and sent observers to the IOA’s General Assembly (GA) that took place here Aug 25.

The IOA, during its Special General Meeting here, refused to incorporate the contentious IOC-proposed clause that would have barred charge-sheeted individuals from holding any post and suggested an alternative that would affect only convicted officials.