New Delhi: The IOA on Thursday adopted its draft constitution framed under the supervision of the Supreme Court and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but several members said they were forced into doing it after the apex court made it mandatory.
During the IOA’s Special General Body Meeting here, some members raised objections to at least half a dozen amendments contained in the draft constitution, and said “the democratic rights of the General Body has been completely taken away”.
Faced with the threat of suspension from the IOC if elections are not held by December, coupled with the directives of the Supreme Court, the IOA had no other alternative but to bring the changes to its constitution.
The draft constitution was prepared by the SC-appointed retired apex court judge L Nageswara Rao and the IOC has already given its approval to it. The SC has approved holding of IOA elections on December 10. The apex court will hear the matter on Friday.
“We have done the amendments of the constitution as per Supreme Court (order) with minor changes. We will give advice to the SC and submit it today for the hearing tomorrow. We will submit the same to the government also,” IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, who is the main point of contact with the IOC, said.
Initially, there was confusion whether the IOA General Assembly has adopted the draft constitution or not, as some members said the amendments were rejected. But Mehta made it clear that the IOA has no “right” to go against a mandatory directive of the apex court of the country.
“There were some objections being raised. That does not mean the constitution was not adopted. It was mandatory (to adopt the constitution) as per Supreme Court order. The draft constitution has also been approved by IOC. IOA has no right to change the constitution.
“Now, it is up to Supreme Court whether to accept those objections or not. I am submitting to the SC that we have adopted the draft constitution along with minor changes. That is all we can do.
“We discussed the issues in the open and we could see a majority of members favouring the amendment of the constitution.
—PTI

Press Trust of India