IOC sends letter of support in IOA's fight for autonomy

New Delhi, Sept 3 (UNI) Expressing fears that the proposed Sports Regulatory Authority might run counter to the Olympic Charter, International Olympic Committee (IOC) today came out in support of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in its fight against the Sports Ministry to preserve autonomy.

A letter from the IOC addressed to IOA President Suresh Kalamdi, said, ''We have recently learned that a series of measures and a new Sports Policy would be currently under study in your country, which might impact the rules and principles governing the Olympic Movement, as it is defined in the Olympic Charter.'' ''According to the Olympic Charter, while the NOCs may cooperate with governmental bodies, with which they shall achieve harmonious relations, they must preserve their autonomy and refrain from any measure which may prevent them from complying with the Olympic Charter.

''We remain at your entire disposal should you require any further assistance,'' the letter stated.

The IOA has already received letters of support from Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

''IOC is expressing their concern and reminding to keep and maintain the autonomy of the National Olympic Committee, which is responsible for the Olympic Movement in every country,'' IOA said in response to the letter from IOC.

Earlier on September 1, IOA and all the national sports federations have unanimously decided to reject 'in toto' the Draft National Sports Policy 2007 which envisaged the setting up of a Sports Regulatory Body to monitor national sports bodies.

They had said they would not tolerate any dilution of their autonomy under the garb of a Regulatory Body while reiterating its earlier stand that since the Draft Policy ''contravenes'' the Olympic Charter, India runs the risk of being banned from IOC-recognised events if the Sports Ministry goes ahead with the Regulatory Body.

It had asked the Government to continue and strengthen the existing Sports Policy of 2001.

''The IOA and all the national federations unanimously opposed the Draft National Sports Policy 2007. We ask the sports Ministry to continue and strengthen the old Policy of 2001,'' a resolution adopted at a meeting of all the national federations here had said.

IOA would meet officials of all state olympic associations on September 15 before coming out with a document stating their opposition to the Draft Policy in a month's time to present it to the Sports Ministry.

UNI