New Delhi: Table Tennis Federation of India president Ajay Chautala today claimed that Randhir Singh has violated the Olympic Charter by approaching the government to seek clarification on his candidature for the president`s post of the upcoming polls of the Indian Olympic Association.
Ajay, who is the brother of IOA presidential candidate Abhay Singh Chautala, shot off a letter to International Olympic Committee president Jaques Rogge stating that Randhir himself being an IOC member has violated the IOC Charter by approaching the Sports Ministry which has been pressing for the application of the Sports Code in the elections.
The IOC, on the other hand, has rejected the application of Sports Code in the elections, saying that it violates the Olympic Charter and autonomy of National Olympic Associations, and have directed the IOA to "exclusively" apply the IOC Charter and its constitution in the polls.
"I am to inform you that IOC member in India Mr. Randhir Singh is violating your instructions and IOC Charter approaching Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India on 14th November 2012 to seek clarification on his own candidature as per the National Sports Code," Abhay said in his letter to the IOC chief.
"Since he (Randhir) had a fear that being the secretary general of IOA for five consecutive terms, he may be declared ineligible for the post of president. This act of Mr. Randhir Singh clearly states that he believes and supports the National Sports Code formulated by the Government of India," he wrote.
Ajay urged the IOC chief to look into the matter and act accordingly.
"He (Randhir) filed his nomination for the post of president IOA knowing well that elections are being held as per the IOA Constitution and National Sports Code, wherever it is applicable in case of elections. IOC may now consider this whole issue and act of Mr. Randhir Singh as violation of your instructions as well as the Olympic Charter.
"May I request you please to consider the whole issue in depth and take a neutral stand," Abhay wrote in his letter.
Randhir had sought a clarification from the Sports Ministry in a letter dated November 14 on whether he can contest the elections or not.
"... The provisions of the National Sports Development Code 2011 does not specifically debar a person who has held two (or more) terms as secretary general to contest for the post of President," the ministry had said in its reply.
"The matter is, however, subjudice, and is part of the pleadings in court in C.M. No. 6791 of 2012 in Civil Writ Petition No. 195 of 2010. The views of the government have been communicated to the Hight Court," the letter from the ministry to Randhir said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, November 19, 2012, 19:55