HPOA's affiliation with IOA continuing, says sports minister

Shimla, Nov 18 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Sports Minister Ram Lal Thakur today asserted that the promulgation of the Sports Act 2005 had no bearing on HP Olympic Association's (HPOA) affiliation with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The successful completion of All India Kabbadi Championship at Bilaspur recently proved that the HPOA affiliation with the IOA was still continuing, he said in a release here.

Mr Thakur said the IOA decision to allot Handball Championship to Himachal at Bilaspur next month also showed that the HPOA's affiliation with IOA was still continuing and Himachal sportsmen were not being debarred from taking part in the national sporting events despite the promulgation of the Sports Act.

He said he was leading the Indian contingent of 372 players to the Asian Games that were being held at Doha in Qatar from December 7 to 22.

The Indian contingent would leave for Doha tomorrow.

Mr Thakur had earlier led the Indian contingent during the South Asian Federation Games held at Pakistan in 1987.

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