Will Kalmadai travel to London for games ?
The sports minister on Friday shot off a letter to IOA, requesting the sports body not to facilitate the tainted Kalmadi administrator's visit to UK on ethical grounds.
In
a letter to Randhir Singh, secretary general of the Indian Olympic
Association (IOA), the ministry argued that since Kalmadi is embroiled
in corruption cases, IOA should not support Kalmadi in any way.
The sports minister Ajay Maken said that he will ensure
that Kalmadi is not part of the Indian delegation, which is headed for
London.
"Taking
into consideration the serious charges levelled against Kalmadi in the
matters relating to conduct of the Commonwealth Games 2010 and that the
court is still seized of the matter, the Ministry requests that the IOA,
on ethical grounds, should not facilitate or sponsor the visit of
Kalmadi to London in any manner including air travel, lodging and
boarding in London and giving tickets for witnessing the opening and
closing ceremonies and sports competitions of the London Olympics,
2012," the letter written by Onkar Kedia, joint Secretary, said.
Further,
the ministry appealed to IOA to take up the matter with international
bodies such as International Olympic Committee (IOC)."The
IOA should also take up this issue with the IOC and the IAAF,
particularly, in the light of the fact that visit of Kalmadi to London
Olympics, before corruption charges against him are cleared by the
court, would defy the 'Fundamental Principles of Olympism' as enshrined
in the 'Olympic Charter'," the letter said.
Delhi court granted permission to Kalmadi to attend
the London Olympics. Kalmadi will travel to London for the games from
July 26 to August 13.e CBI had opposed Kalmadi's plea saying that
it would hamper day-to-day court proceedings in the CWG Scam in which
Kalmadi is an accused. However, the judge overruled the objection and
allowed Kalmadi to travel to London.In his plea to Special CBI Judge
Talwant Singh, Kalmadi had said he is a member of International
Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Council and sought permission
to go to the United Kingdom for the games from July 26 to August 13."Applicant (Kalmadi), in his capacity, as a member of the IAAF Council and as president of Asian Athletics Association (AAA), is required to attend certain meetings, conferences and matters of the IAAF during the London 2012 Olympics from July 26 to August 13," Kalmadi said in his application.Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh had earlier allowed Kalmadi's plea to visit London from 26th July to 13th August, while ordering him to furnish a bond of Rs 10 lakh and a surety of the same amount.
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