Delhi High Court appoints committee to run national Olympic body

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court has appointed a committee to take over the running of the national Olympic committee and hold fresh elections within four months in a move that could have further implications for the country in international sport.

The Court asked Olympians Abhinav Bindra, Anju Bobby George and Bombayla Devi Laishram to assist the three-person administration committee that includes a former Supreme Court judge, an election commissioner and a government bureaucrat, the media reported.

The International Olympic Committee had earlier advised the IOA to fast-track its elections, which were scheduled for last December, or risk facing suspension.

The Delhi High Court's orders on Tuesday followed the decision by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, to suspend the All India Football Federation because of “undue influence from third parties”, India’s Supreme Court. The suspension threatens India's hosting of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in October.

The Delhi High Court issued the orders against the Indian Olympic Association because of "persistent recalcitrance” to comply with the National Sports Code.

It said posts such as lifetime president in the IOA were against the national code, and it wanted senior officials to be limited to three terms in office.

The court also wanted to see women appointed to senior positions and more equality across the board, adding, “Sports administration is not a male preserve."