OCA threatens withdrawal of recognition to IOA

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be in jeopardy and Indian sports persons are likely to face ban on their participation in the 2008 Beijing olympiad if the Government goes ahead with its draft national sports policy.

The Indian olympic association (IOA) today warned the government of these dire consquences after it received a letter from the OCA.

With Olympic Council of Asia(OCA) jumping in the fray in the on going war of words between Sports ministry and the IOA in support of the later, the country's premier sports body asked the government not to interfere in its functioning Quoting a five year old OCA resolution which says that "Any violation of the rules of the Olympic Charter shall result in the withdrawl of recognition of the NOC by OCA" Shiekh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, the President of the Asian body, said all Members must preserve the autonomy of their respective Olympic committees.

In a letter to IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi, Shiekh Fahad said that it has come to his notice that there was a move by the Indian government to interfere in the functioning of the National Olympic Committee and country's sports federations.

He said ''I would appreciate if you (Kalmadi) would take appropriate measures to maintain the autonomy of the IOA).

''I would like to reiterate the OCA's Aomori Decleration(of 2002) which clearly states that All member NOCs must preserve their autonomy as envisaged in the OCA constitution and rules in the Olympic charter.There should be no interference from the Government and its agencies in the functioning of the NOC. However strong and cordial relationship should be maintained with the Government and its agencies. Any violation of the rules of the OCA Constitution/Olympic charter shall result in suspension/withdrawal of recognition of by OCA,'' Shiekh Fahad added.

UNI