NEW DELHI: Acting on expected lines now that the elections are done and dusted, the Union government has tendered an unconditional guarantee to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) clearing the path for international tournaments to return to India.
The assurance ensures India stays within global norms against discrimination in sports, including for political reasons, and allows the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to go ahead with its bids to host mega events, including the 2032 Olympics.
Union Sports Secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya has written to IOA president Narinder Batra, with a copy marked to IOC chief Thomas Bach, stating that the government is looking forward to co-operating with the IOC on hosting future international sporting events.
The letter reads: “It is the policy of the government that India will hold international sporting events and will permit all qualified athletes belonging to any National Olympic Committee recognised by IOC or any national federation affiliated to International Federation concerned to participate.
“Such participation of athletes shall be without prejudice to our principled positions and policies on other political matters including issues such as international recognition or otherwise of the country of origin of the athletes.
“The stated policy of the Government of India guarantees the participation of all eligible athletes, sportspersons and officials in international sporting events organised in India under the auspices of IOC. Such commitment of the Government of India stems from our world view of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘The World is one family’, which, in essence, is also the spirit behind the International Olympic Movement.
“We look forward to co-operating with the IOC to resolve any matter in the light of our communication on the hosting of future international sporting events in India.”
A senior IOA official told Indian Express that they will reopen talks to host the 2026 Youth Olympics, 2032 Olympics and an IOC Congress with the world body. “We have sent letters regarding the same to the IOC on Tuesday and it is likely to be discussed during the IOC Session in Lausanne next week,” the official said.
India has already submitted an Expression of Interest to host the 2026 Youth Olympics and 2032 Olympics. The IOA has also set its eyes on bringing the 2030 Asian Games to India.
The denial of visas in February to Pakistan’s shooters, as well as to Pakistani and Pakistan-origin cueists for an Asian Tour 10 Reds Snooker tournament, had prompted the IOC to suspend talks with the government and IOA for hosting events after it accused India of violating the principles of “non-discrimination”.
While the non-issue of visas to Pakistani athletes got much media focus, the IOA was already under the scanner from both the IOC as well as the Olympic Council of Asia after a boxer from Kosovo was denied a visa in November 2018 to compete in the women’s world championships in New Delhi. Reason? India does not recognise Kosovo.
In the aftermath of the Kosovo boxer’s visa denial, the OCA had warned India in November itself that it could miss out on hosting major Games. And following the incidents in February, the IOC had demanded written assurances from the government that they would ensure athletes from all countries will be allowed to take part in events held in India.
CWG TT C’ships
The first competition that will have a direct bearing on the positive development is the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, which starts next month in Cuttack.
New Indian Express quotes Table Tennis Federation of India officials as stating they would be discussing the possibility of Pakistani participation soon. If required, they might even give a window of few extra days for Pakistani paddlers to enter the event, TTFI officials told the daily.
“The letter is very positive and we welcome it,” said an official. “As for Pakistan participation, we will have to wait and see. The invitations are already with them. We look forward to their participation.”
If they do send entries and take part, it will be the first high-profile instance of athletes from Pakistan participating in a sporting event in India since the hockey World Cup last year.
