NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court’s well meaning interventions failed to make any material difference in Indian cricket and in India football. Will it be third time lucky as far as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is concerned? Do not bet on it.
Be that as it may, the Supreme Court on Thursday tasked former apex court judge Justice L Nageswara Rao with amending the IOA constitution and preparing a new electoral college.
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who headed the Supreme Court bench, said that Justice Rao is the right man to ensure the future of Olympics in India is heading in “the right direction”.
The Supreme Court also asked Justice Rao to prepare a road map for amending the Constitution and holding elections by December 15.
Justice Chandrachud also given the green light to IOA secretary-general Rajeev Mehta and IOA vice-president Adille Sumariwalla to represent India at the Internal Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting to be held Lausanne on September 27.
“All logistical arrangements shall be made available to Justice Rao by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and to be reimbursed by IOA,” the bench, also comprising Justice Hima Kohli, ruled.
On September 8, the IOC executive board (EB) issued a “final warning” to the IOA and warned that “immediate suspension” would be considered at the next EB meeting, if governance issues are not resolved “to the IOC’s satisfaction, in the interest of sport and the athletes”.
The IOC also postponed its 2023 Session, due to be held in Mumbai, from May to September or October next year.
A decision on that will also be made in December.
