IOA warns any unilateral action from government can invite another suspension from IOC

The President of IOA Narinder Batra has mentioned that there have been no discussions with the government regarding the Draft Sports Code. In his email addressed to the Sports Ministry, Batra mentioned that some of the past actions of government have incited a level of mistrust also.

“The Ministry had been given an affidavit in an ongoing case in Delhi High Court in early 2017 in relation to Draft New Sports Code with all the stakeholders. Nothing has been done till now in this regard and no discussion has even been initiated with the main stakeholder IOA till date or any other stakeholder,” Batra wrote in his letter.

Indian NOC was derecognized in 2012 by IOA and again recognized in 2014. Batra mentioned that the reason for the action was the interference of government with the working of Indian NOC and NSFs. Batra has mentioned that any changes in the Draft Sports Code would need the eventual consent of IOC. Batra, in his email, has mentioned that the IOA and NSFs had a minuted agreement with P.K. Deb, Secretary Sports in 2013 and no action has been taken as of date. This has initiated a level of mistrust towards them and that's why Batra sought a meeting with the Sports Ministry to resolve all these matters.

“Kindly advice on time for meeting with the five members from IOA to discuss on your concerns in Sports Code and to sit together and sort them out in a cordial and amicable manner,” Batra has mentioned in the mail.

Batra has taken a swipe on the Sports Ministry for informing NSFs and SOAs that he was involved in the formation of the Sports Code.

“...in fact is not true and correct. I am this mail requesting your office that all in Ministry and SAI be directed to please stop this spread of misinformation since I was part of this committee as President of FIH and I had nothing to do with NOC of India at that point of time,” Batra added.