The Government today said it was confident that issues between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) can be resolved in time and promised steps to ensure participation of Indian sportspersons in international sporting events.

Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha that the Government is working to resolve the issue soon so that Indian sportspersons do not suffer.

“We have spoken to IOC and they have given an assurance that Indian sportspersons do not suffer. But the Government is working 24 hours to resolve the issue,” he said replying to a Calling Attention Motion by Jagat Prakash Nadda (BJP), N. K. Singh (JD-U) and Vivek Gupta (TMC) on the situation arising out of the suspension of IOA by IOC.

“The decision to suspend the IOA is a very unfortunate development in Indian sports. It will not have a major impact on Indian participation in international sporting events in the immediate future. The Government is confident that the issues between the IOC and IOA can be resolved in time.

“The Government is committed to take all possible measures to protect the interests of Indian sportspersons and to ensure that they participate in international sports events under the Indian national flag,” Singh said.

The Minister held that the National Sports Code, which is cited as the main reason for the Government’s interference in the functioning of sports bodies “does not in any manner violate the Olympic Charter”.

Stressing on transparency in sports bodies, he said as many as 48 such federations are ready to agree to the Government’s code that lays down certain age and tenure restrictions and brings good governance and transparency in their functioning.

Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley sought to know if the Government and sports bodies would display statesmanship to resolve the issue of derecognition by IOC.

He said sports is a state subject and sought to know if Government can resist the temptation of interfering in the day-to-day functioning of sports bodies.

Jaitley said while sports bodies wanted their autonomy to be maintained, he suggested drawing a balance between autonomy and good governance and asked if the Ministry was ready to agree to such suggestions.

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