Abhey Chautala faction claims IOA recognition

Chandigarh, Nov 15 (UNI) Claiming that the Indian Olympic Association has refused to entertain the rival faction led by Congress MP Navin Jindal, Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhey Singh Chautala today said that the IOA has recognised the Haryana Olympic Association which he leads.

Mr Chautala quoted a recent communication from IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh which reads ''This is to certify that the HOA, affiliated to the IOA is headed by Abhey Singh Chautala as president, M S Malik as General Secretray and Bhupinder Singh as Treasurer.'' Mr Chautala, in a statement here today, has also termed the state government-sponsored State Games scheduled at Kurukshetra from November 19 to 22 as 'illegal and unconstitutional.'' ''The illegal and unconstitutional body, headed by Navin Jindal is not authorised or competent to use the name and seal of the HOA. In view of the IOA letter, dated November 2, 2006 in favour of the Abhey group, the Kurukshetra State Games are not official competitions,'' Mr Chautala said.

He threatened of taking lagal action if the Kurukshetra Games were not stopped in the interest of state sports and sportspersons.

Mr Chautala said the Haryana squad for the National Games to be held in Guwahati from February 9 to 18 next year would be finalised during the State Games at Sirsa from December 28 to 30.

He also advised the sportspersons not to take part in the 'unrecognised and illegal' State Games in Kurukshetra.

UNI XC HS SAM PM1648