The Indian Olympic Association (Hindi:भारतीय ओलम्पिक संघ) is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at theOlympic Games, Asian Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at the events. It also acts as the Indian Commonwealth Games Association, responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at theCommonwealth Games.[1]
History
The Indian Olympic Association was formed in 1927 with Sir Dorabji Tata as its first president and since that year has been the body officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee as India's national Olympic organisation.[1] Dorabji was replaced by Maharaja Bhupindra Singh in 1928 who stayed on the position till 1938.
On 4 December 2012, the International Olympic Committee suspended the IOA on the basis of corruption, government interference, and not following guidelines of the IOC. Several members of the IOA have been charged with crimes.[2] The IOA was formally banned for not following the Olympic Charter in their elections, instead following the Indian government's Sports Code. The IOA held elections under the Indian Sports Code due to a directive from the Delhi High Court.[3] On 15 May 2013, International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to lift the ban on the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as Indian representatives from the government and sports bodies reached an agreement with IOC officials.[4] India still did not have its three competitors play under the national flag at the 2014 Olympics. On 9 February, an election was held to choose a head of the IOA. Abhay Singh Chautala and Lalit Bhanot were ineligible due to having a court charge against them. The President of the World Squash Federation Narayana Ramachandran was instead elected.[5]
Governing committee
Since 26 April 2011, after the arrest of its president Suresh Kalmadi; Vijay Kumar Malhotra was the acting president of the IOA up to 5, December, 2012.[6] The current President, Secretary General and treasurer of the IOA are N. Ramachandran, Rajeev Mehtaand Anil Khanna respectively. The election ofLalit Bhanot was considered controversial by some due to his alleged involvement in theCommonwealth Games Scam.[7] The International Olympic Committee suspended India's National Olympic committee on 4 December 2012 because of government interference in its election process.[8] On 11 February 2014, the International Olympic Committee revoked the ban enforced on Indian Olympic Association. As a result, India returned to the Olympic fold after 14-months.[9]
2020 and 2028 Summer Olympic bids
In 2007 Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi said that Delhi would bid for the 2020 Olympics.[10] However, in 2009sports minister Manohar Singh Gill said that India would not bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games even if it organized a successful 2010 Commonwealth Games.[11]Instead they will bid for 2028.[citation needed]
Indian Olympic Association
Presidents of the IOA
- Sir Dorabji Tata 1927-1928
- Maharaja Bhupindra Singh 1928-1938.
- Maharaja Yadavindra Singh 1938-1960. (Elder Son of Maharaja Bhupindra Singh)
- Bhalindra Singh 1960-1975. {1st Term} (Younger Son of Maharaja Bhupindra Singh)
- Om Prakash Mehra 1976-1980.
- Bhalindra Singh 1980-1984. (2nd Term)
- Vidya Charan Shukla 1984-1987.
- Sivanthi Adithan, 1987-1996.
- Suresh Kalmadi, 1996–2012 (Suspended)
- Vijay Kumar Malhotra 2012 (Acting)
- Suresh Kalmadi, 2012 (Re-instated)
- Abhay Singh Chautala, 5 December 2012 – 9 February 2014
- Narayana Ramachandran, 9 February 2014 - Till date
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