PM should set up GOM to sort out 'issues' in sports bill: IOA

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) The Indian Olympic Association
on Thursday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to set up a
Group of Ministers (GOM) to sort out the "contentious issues"
raised by the National Sports Development Bill which has been
rejected by the cabinet for now.
IOA Acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra has told the
Prime Minister that not only the IOA but all the National
Sports Federations (NSFs) are "willing for any scrutiny by the
Government agencies."
"We have nothing to hide, the NSFs are open and
transparent. The IOA is democratically elected body which
strictly follows the constitution of the country and adheres
to the Charter of the International Olympic Committee (IOC),"
Malhotra said.
"We in the IOA and in the NSFs are feeling suffocated by
the unfounded and sinister tirade launched against us by
certain vested interest. This smear campaign is having
crippling effect on our preparations for the London Olympics,"
he added.
"A wrong and malicious impression is being created in the
mind of the general public that IOA is against every
government move. This is not correct."
Malhotra said the IOA and all the NSFs have regular
elections and the sports federations are already under RTI and
their accounts are audited by the CAG.
"The government pays for the sportspersons training and
travel at home and abroad and that is also accounted for."
Malhotra said the IOA has always "appreciated
Government's help which has been enormous."