Jitendra Singh backs IOC diktat; Asks IOA to amend constitution

NEW DELHI: The Sports Minister Jitendra Singh today backed International Olympic Committee's decision to stick to its stand on the chargesheet clause and urged the IOA to incorporate the required amendments in its constitution so that the interest of country's sportspersons do not suffer.

The IOC today clearly told the Indian Olympic Association to adopt the chargesheet clause in its constitution in order to ensure good governance.

"There are certain issues IOC is insisting on. One of the major ones is ethics and good governance. So, I hope better sense prevails and the IOA incorporate some of the changes, which the IOC has suggested," said the Minister.

"I don't think there should be a problem in incorporating these changes because it is a part of the Olympic Charter. It is nothing new that the IOC is saying," he added.

Jitendra termed IOA's reluctance to amend its constitution in accordance with the IOC's suggestion as "sad" and asked the association to give preference to the interest of the sportspersons.

"It is sad that the IOA did not modify their constitution as per the international guidelines, international benchmark or as per the Olympic Charter.

"I would like to request the IOA to consider the modifications in their constitution, keeping in mind the interest of the sportspersons and not some individuals' interests. It is very very unfortunate that some individuals' interests took precedence over nation and the sportspersons," he said.