News: Blame game continues at IOA, IOC takes cognizance

The internal politics in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has now gone international. IOA vice-president Sudhanshu Mittal has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) alleging irregularities and false declarations by IOA president Narinder Batra in his election to the post. According to the Article 10.3 of the constitution of IOA the representatives nominated by each unit must be members of the executive bodies of such units. The squabbling within the IOA has been on for a while now with a series of accusatory mails being exchanged between various factions. This is the first time, however, that the matter has been taken to the IOC. Batra has countered the charge saying he would respond after resuming office later this month. Interestingly, it may be noted that Batra became IOA president in 2017 after his nomination for the post was cleared by the then election commission.