“The Government of India congratulates the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and everyone else involved, on India getting back into the Olympic movement.
It is good to know that our sportspeople will again be able to compete under the Indian Flag.
The Ministry is glad that considerations like ethics and transparency are now centre-stage in the world of Indian Sport.
The process of India’s return to the Olympic movement started with the Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports meeting with the President and other IOC Authorities in Lausanne in May 2013 in an effort to ensure that conditions are created for ending the suspension of IOA at the earliest.
The issue of debarring charge framed officials from contesting elections or continuing in office was first raised then and the IOC was apprised of the support of the Government of India for such a measure.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) also notes that all National Sports Federations including the IOA, barring only a tiny minority, have now adopted the Sports Code. This is a major achievement as, similar attempts in the past had not fructified.
MYAS is actively working on a new Sports Bill to give further legal teeth and clarity to the existing Sports Code.
Government is committed to ensure ethics, transparency and good governance in sports in India and will make all efforts to ensure that Indian sportsperson are fully supported as they strive hard to bring laurels to the nation in the international sporting arena.
There are many challenges just ahead with the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games just ahead and the Olympics due in 2016. MYAS looks forward to a close co-operation with the new office bearers of the IOC.”