IOA to finally discuss Draft Sports Policy with Ministry in Jan

New Delhi, Dec 26 (UNI) Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will finally have discussions with the Sports Ministry next month on the controversal Draft National Sports Policy, its chief Suresh Kalmadi said today.

Virtually giving an ultimatum, Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar had last week said the Draft Policy would not be delayed any more and if IOA does not come for discussions, it will be tabled before the Cabinet next month.

Mr Aiyar had said the IOA and National Sports Federations had not come for discussions on three ocassions despite inviting them.

Mr Kalmadi feigned ignorance of any move to place the Draft Policy before the Cabinet but assured that the IOA and the National Federations will sit down for a discussion on the issue with the Ministry next month.

''We don't know that. He (Aiyar) might have told this (his intention to place the Policy before Cabinet) to the media, but the Ministry did not inform us.

''We did not have much time. After the festival season, we were at Macau for the Asian Indoor Games. We will fix a date next month for a discussion with Sports Ministry officials,'' he said.

Kalmadi also had a dig on Aiyar's stated position that big budget multi-sporting events would not do any good to the improvement of the standard of sports in the country, by saying that mega events like the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games would leave lasting legacies in the country.

''It is not just a 15-day extravaganza. The infrastructure will last long after the Games. It will surely take Delhi five years ahead in terms of infrastructure development.

It will raise Delhi's standing as a sporting city.'' Mr Kalmadi said.

UNI