NEW DELHI: It was a quick and busy two day visit for Dr Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee (IOC) as he flew from Bangkok to the national capital.
During his second visit to the country, Bach met the newly elected the Indian Olympic Assoication (IOA) office bearers, several Olympic medalists and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al Sabah, also accompanied Bach on the occasion.
President Bach also witnessed the Hockey 5s Exhibition match which was played at the Dhyan chand National stadium. Speaking on the occasion, Bach expressed satisfaction on the motive of the visit and hoped India performed well at the 2020 games.
GREAT SPORTING NATION
“This visit to India could not have come at a better time. It has given us the opportunity to warmly congratulate the Indian Olympic Assoication (IOA) and its athletes for the great success they have achieved at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games,” he expressed on Thursday.
“ With 66 medals, the athletes of India has set a great example and have sent a very strong signal of the potential sports in India and the athletes have,” Bach, who won the fencing gold in 1976 Olympics said.
Informing about the meeting he had with the sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Bach said “ We at International Olympic Committee (IOC) had a meeting with the sports minister under the leadership of Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, President, Indian Olympic Association. We discussed various issues. We have made an offer which has been accepted by both IOA and the sports minister.”
“In terms of fair competition, we are very pleased by the firm commitment of Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, to make good governance a priority.
The complete actions and principles have been explained to us already. The sports minister also recognised the authority of the sport in the way.”
The IOC chief said that sport has to be compliant with the rules of the governance established by the IOC which the sports minister referred several times. On the other side the government has to respect the rights of the sports organisations to take decision on the sports side.
WON’T BOYCOTT 2022 CWG: BATRA
- Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Dhruv Batra on Thursday clarified that the country will not boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) because of the exclusion of the shooting disciplines, but will take up the issue with the organisers.
- National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President Raninder Singh had earlier said that the country must boycott the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham if shooting is not reinstated in the Games.
- “Sitting on this chair and sitting on that side makes a lot of difference. He (Raninder) is free to make a lot of statements. There are athletes, government and so many things related. We will certainly take up the issue,” he said.
