IOC's decision to suspend India is a 'wake-up call': Bhaichung Bhutia

NEW DELHI: Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia today termed the IOC's decision to suspend India as a "wake-up call" for the country's sports officials and said the IOA should amend its constitution soon in accordance with the Olympic Charter to get out of the mess.

"It's a disappointing situation. I think, it's quite disgraceful in terms of the situation we have come into. The decision has come as a wake-up call (for country's sports administrators) but somewhere I feel it (the suspension) was important. May be, this will change Indian sports for good," Bhutia said on the sidelines of a function here.

"Despite all the fiasco, I want the Sports Code to be followed. I still feel the need for the Sports Code (which is similar to the Olympic Charter). The IOA should get the Sports Code amended in their Constitution. I don't think the IOC is going to reject that," he said.

In a major embarrassment for India, the IOC had yesterday suspended the Indian Olympic Association because of government interference in its election process, a development which puts a bar on the country's Olympic participation.

The decision to disaffiliate India was taken on the first day of the IOC's two-day Executive Board meeting in Lausanne.

The IOC said that it decided to ban India as the IOA had failed to comply with Olympic Charter and also allowed a tainted official to contest the elections for a top post.

Bhutia, who was in the capital to launch the second generation of the Nike Green Speed boot, the All Conditions Control (ACC) Nike GS2, said that he has no plans to take up any administrative role in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in the near future.