The sports ministry on Monday asked the Indian Olympic Association to take up in detail the controversial tenure issue a day prior to the latter’s executive council and special general assembly meeting.
“The occasion provides an opportune moment for the IOA and the National Sports Federations to deliberate on issues relating to compliance of the 2001 government guidelines on good governance; including those relating to tenure limits, in respect of office bearers, and age limit for all members,” the ministry said in a letter sent to the IOA.
The ministry and the IOA have been at loggerheads over the issue of putting a cap on the tenures of long-serving officials.
However, the International Olympic Committee supported the IOA on this matter, terming the guidelines a clear violation of the Olympic charter.
The directive limits the tenure of IOA and NSF chiefs to not more than 12 years, with or without break, a move that is likely to hurt IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi and other officials if it comes into effect.
The government has also drawn attention of the IOA and the NSFs to the recent concerns expressed by Parliament, courts as well as the public, on the need to ensure good governance in sporting bodies.
Citing the Delhi High Court verdict of 2005, the ministry reiterated that the tenure limitation guidelines were in compliance with the IOC charter.