This story is from June 8, 2018

Rathore won't relent on sports code

In a move that could escalate tension between the sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has ruled out offering any concession as far as the implementation of the Sports Code is concerned.
Rathore won't relent on sports code
AT LOGGERHEADS: Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore (left) and IOA chief Narinder Batra (BCCL image)
Key Highlights
  • Rathore has ruled out offering any concession as far as the implementation of the Sports Code is concerned
  • Rathore has written a letter to all 29 state chief ministers and lieutenant governors of the union territories
  • IOA is unhappy with this development and considers it as an attempt to infringe upon its autonomy
NEW DELHI: In a move that could escalate tension between the sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has ruled out offering any concession as far as the implementation of the Sports Code is concerned.
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Rathore has written a strongly-worded letter to all 29 state chief ministers and lieutenant governors of the union territories (UTs), urging them to “enforce the provisions of the code in order to bring about good governance and transparency in the functioning of the state and district-level sports associations”.

The three-page letter, a copy of which is with TOI, could lead to a fresh round of confrontation between the ministry, IOA and the national sports federations. The tone and tenor of the letter, in which Rathore says that some politicians/bureaucrats heading these associations are running it as their “fiefdom”, suggests that the minister is not willing to compromise on the Code and wants the state/district-run Olympic bodies and federations to fall in line or face the music.
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“Since ‘sports’ is a State subject, suitable instructions need to be issued or law to be enacted by the state as well to enforce the provisions of National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI) in all the state and district-level sports associations. It’s being felt that the efforts of good governance and ethical practices are defeated unless the affiliated units of NSFs (states/UT sports associations) are also complaint with such provisions,” Rathore wrote in his letter.

“It has been brought to notice that almost all the affiliated units are not adhering to good governance provisions in the absence of such instructions and laws. As a result, state/district level sports bodies are run as ‘fiefdom’ of a few people. I hope that you (CMs and LGs) will look into the matter personally and instruct the chief secretary and sports secretary of your state to take immediate steps in this connection. This will go a long way in freeing the state/district level sports bodies, which are run as fiefdom by a few bureaucrats/ politicians etc., and contribute significantly to the development of sports in the country,” the letter added.
IOA is unhappy with this development and considers it as an attempt to infringe upon its autonomy. “Does the Centre fund the state/district level Olympic bodies and sports federations? Does it control their functioning? It’s the IOA which does that. Then how could the ministry direct the CMs and LGs to enforce the sports code. IOA follows the code and knows how to ensure good governance in the functioning of its affiliated associations. We don’t need the ministry’s advice,” IOA treasurer Anandeshwar Pandey told TOI.
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