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Following sports minister Ajay Maken's snub to Indian Olympics Association (IOA) over the hosting of South Asian Games (SAG) in January 2013 two days ago, IOA's acting president now has made a last ditch attempt to save the Games by asking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in this ongoing tussle.
"The re-scheduling of the Games is out of question as it will be shifted to Kathmandu in case of India's reluctance," Malhotra said in his letter to the Prime Minister. "It has already been decided in the executive committee meeting of South Asian Olympic Council that in case the Games are not held in India in 2013, they will be allotted to Kathmandu.
"In my earlier letter to you, I had made it clear that the IOA did not make any bid for these Games. They were allotted to us because of the rotation system. The last edition of the Games was held in Bangladesh."
The IOA's last ditch appeal comes two days after the sports minister categorically told DNA that "unless IOA removes its tainted officials (read Kalmadi and Bhanot), it would nearly be impossible for India to host any other sporting extravaganza."
Maken clearly hinted that this decision has been taken after consultation with the various concerned ministries and the PMO.
"We don't have liberty to hold the Games as per our own convenience. It will be a big embarrassment for India and its sporting fraternity if the Games are moved to another country. India is a leading member of the SAARC and now it's our turn to conduct the Games," the letter said.
Meanwhile, a senior sports ministry official on condition of anonymity has reiterated that "there is no way that our stance could be changed because of the sheer reason that the decision of not hosting the Games in 2013 has been taken after due consultation with every concerned ministry and the PMO".
South Asian Games: Indian Olympics Association writes to PM - Sport - DNA
"The re-scheduling of the Games is out of question as it will be shifted to Kathmandu in case of India's reluctance," Malhotra said in his letter to the Prime Minister. "It has already been decided in the executive committee meeting of South Asian Olympic Council that in case the Games are not held in India in 2013, they will be allotted to Kathmandu.
"In my earlier letter to you, I had made it clear that the IOA did not make any bid for these Games. They were allotted to us because of the rotation system. The last edition of the Games was held in Bangladesh."
The IOA's last ditch appeal comes two days after the sports minister categorically told DNA that "unless IOA removes its tainted officials (read Kalmadi and Bhanot), it would nearly be impossible for India to host any other sporting extravaganza."
Maken clearly hinted that this decision has been taken after consultation with the various concerned ministries and the PMO.
"We don't have liberty to hold the Games as per our own convenience. It will be a big embarrassment for India and its sporting fraternity if the Games are moved to another country. India is a leading member of the SAARC and now it's our turn to conduct the Games," the letter said.
Meanwhile, a senior sports ministry official on condition of anonymity has reiterated that "there is no way that our stance could be changed because of the sheer reason that the decision of not hosting the Games in 2013 has been taken after due consultation with every concerned ministry and the PMO".
South Asian Games: Indian Olympics Association writes to PM - Sport - DNA
