THE IOC HAS asked the IOA to co-ordinate with international sports federations to address issues impacting India’s sports federations, namely the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed concern over the Indian Olympic Association’s “unfortunate” delay in the appointment of CEO/secretary-general while also urging the IOA to address the issue affecting the country’s wrestling federation by “working closely” with the sport’s world body.
The IOC issued the strongly-worded statement during its executive board meeting on Wednesday, where it also received updates on the situations of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Afghanistan, Guatemala and Sudan besides India.
“NOC of India has been directed on many occasions to finalise the appointment process of the new CEO/Secretary General without any further delay, in accordance with the NOC Constitution, so as to normalise the situation within the NOC.
“Unfortunately, the NOC has yet to complete this process. The IOC continues to monitor this issue,” an IOC statement read.
The IOC has also asked the IOA to co-ordinate with international sports federations to address issues impacting India’s sports federations, namely the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Indian wrestling has made headlines in the last two months with top grapplers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and Asian Games champion Vinesh Phogat leading a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the arrest of outgoing WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The agitating wrestlers have alleged that Brij Bhushan has sexually harassed women grapplers.
“The NOC of India has been requested to liaise and work closely with the International Federations in order to address a number of ongoing issues affecting Indian Sports Federations, in a coordinated manner and in accordance with the rules and directives of the International Federations concerned.
