India might have to wait a while longer to see its athletes in the Olympic fold after the IOC’s strong stance on the chargesheeted clause, but many in the sports fraternity felt the world body’s decision will bring “positive changes” to the way national federations are being run.
Former Indian Hockey Federation chief K.P.S. Gill said it was a “good development”.
“But it’s a pity that we can’t cleanse out own bodies and foreign bodies (IOC) have to tell us how to cleanse ourselves.
“The IOC has been pro-active and told the IOA to take out the tainted men. But the state Olympic committees do nothing and they are full of (Suresh) Kalmadi’s men. All they do is to fill up his vote bank.”
Asked if the long-standing issue between the IOC an IOA is turning into an impasse, Gill said: “What impasse? You mean to say that the Olympics can only be run by only few people. We are a country of a billion-plus people, can’t you find 30-40 honest people?
“The government (sports ministry), I am sorry to say, has no cogent policy. At the moment, we have the worst sports secretary we have ever had. Fortunately, he is retiring. After that there is some hope that the government will be on right lines.”
Clean Sports India president and former sprinter Ashwini Nachappa felt the IOA should now take a decision in the interest of the athletes. “The IOC has give ample time to the IOA to fix the loopholes. But the Indian federation was hardly interested in taking the issue seriously and instead amended the constitution for the benefit of many tainted officials.
“The IOA doesn’t have the will to resolve the issue and bring India back to the Olympic fold. It’s matter of just five minutes to take the right decision.”
Activist-lawyer Rahul Mehra felt that it was a moment to celebrate for anyone having the interest of the nation at heart.
“I hope the IOC does not stop here. There are a lot of things which need to be enforced by the IOC on the IOA.
“The IOC needs to ensure meaningful reforms in accordance of the Olympic Charter rather than some sham where they have diluted the age and tenure restrictions. It can’t be selective in IOA’s case.”