IOA rejects new Draft National Sports Code, fears IOC suspension

India will incur International Olympic Committee's wrath and might even be suspended if it goes ahe with ministrative changes enshrined in Draft National Sports Code 2017, IOA has warned, rejecting proposed document completely. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) also expressed surprise with government's move to seek feedback on draft after Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, on October 11, anunced formation of a committee to look into contentious provisions such as and tenure cap on officials, which are being opposed by National Sports Federations. Despite anuncement by Rijiju, ministry, through its Director (Sports), sent a letter to IOA on October 24 to send feedback on Draft National Sports Code latest by vember 10.

IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, in turn, sent a te rejecting changes proposed by 2017 Draft National Sports Code. "We, IOA and all our members, outrightly reject new Draft Sports Code as it interferes automy of IOA and its members. Sports Code was discussed with GOI MYAS and implemented in 2014 in IOA Statutes which enabled IOA to regain its recognition in 2012," Mehta said in feedback letter sent to ministry. "Any furr interference in IOA automy will be taken seriously by IOC and OCA and can once again le to suspension of membership of IOA. We certainly hope that it is t intention of Sports Ministry to send Indian contingent to Tokyo Olympics under IOC Flag and t Indian Flag."

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IOA was suspended for a brief period earlier

IOA was suspended by IOC in December 2012 for government interference and was reinstated 14 months later after assurances on automy. Expressing surprise at insistence of ministry to furnish feedback, he wrote: "We are willing to work toger by forming a small committee to take it forward as was agreed on 11.10.2019 and we hope that MYAS will stand by what was conveyed to IOA & NSFs in 11th October, 2019 meeting."  National Sports Code 2011 is currently in force but a new National Sports Code was drafted in 2017. draft proposed drastic changes in 2011 Code, including barring of ministers, members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies and government servants from holding office in NSFs and IOA, tenure restrictions and cap of 70 years. draft also widened its scope to all office-bearers and board members of IOA and NSFs. It also calls on NSFs to appoint CEOs, minee Directors and an Ombudsman. Regarding cap of 70 years for its office bearers and or Executive Board members, IOA argued that even though rm is in sync with Olympic Charter, IOC has t enforced it on all international federations. Inste, IOA has proposed that every NSF be allowed to follow limit of ir respective international federation, or a uniform limit of 75 be imposed.

"Considering longevity of a person's term at IOC, rule of relieving membership at 70 years of is optimal for IOC. But given differences in membership and governance structure between IOC and C, that rule of limitation cant be implemented in toto for all members on C Board. If re has to be a limitation, 75 years proposed as limit," IOA said.

"re is law of land that limits of a person for horary service in a society or n-profit organisation."

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On issue of office bearers

On issue of tenure of office bearers, IOA proposed three terms for president, secretary-general and treasurer and limit for or Executive Board numbers. It also proposed to do away with provision of a cooling-off period for office-bearers. "Stability and continuity in leership are essential principles in good governance. said proposal (of Draft Code) would continually destabilize ministration. Two terms are t equate for any significant contribution or implementation of long term plans. It is proposed to first remove limitation of cooling period. " limitation regarding 'immediate relative' on Board is challenged as re is law of land, to best of our kwledge, that restricts election or appointment to Board of automous organizations based on an individual's relationship."

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draft Code, which states that IOA and NSFs "shall be deemed to be a public authority", exempts bodies from revealing commercial details under RTI Act. IOA has raised doubts over move and questioned if it contricts provisions under Act. On Draft Code seeking to widen definition of "office bearers" to include vice-president and joint secretaries, IOA proposed that same provisions of 2011 Code, which mentioned only president, secretary-general and treasurer, be maintained. Objecting to ar proposal of Draft Code, Mehta also said that IOA "would continue affiliation of state and UT (union territory) Olympic Associations as members of C with right to vote and contest its election". IOA also said that Athletes Commission would be in compliance with guidelines of IOC and it would oppose government intervention in this matter. It also objected to CAG audit of its accounts as it "does t avail government funding for its ministration". IOA also rejected "government's attempts to regulate ministration of ethical matters, grievance redressal and dispute resolution that are under purview of IOA w". 

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