IOC asks IOA to appoint new CEO soon, urges to resolve the WFI issue

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed concern over the delay in the appointment of the CEO or Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association. Along with this, a request has also been made to solve the WFI issue in the country by meeting UWW.

Also Read: Taipei Open 2023: HS Prannoy advanced to the men's singles quarter-finals

The IOC issued a strong statement at its executive board meeting on Wednesday. In this meeting, They were apprised of the position of the National Olympic Committees of Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Sudan apart from India.

The IOC said in a statement, "NOC of India has been directed on many occasions to finalize the appointment process of the new CEO/Secretary General without any further delay, in accordance with the NOC Constitution, so as to normalize the situation within the NOC. Unfortunately, the NOC has yet to complete this process. The IOC continues to monitor this issue."

The IOC has asked the IOA to coordinate with international sports federations to deal with issues affecting the country's sports federations.

Indian wrestling has been in the news for the past two months. Top Indian wrestlers including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are protesting and demanding the arrest of outgoing WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

"The NOC of India has been requested to liaise and work closely with the International Federations in order to address a number of ongoing issues affecting Indian Sports Federations, in a coordinated manner and in accordance with the rules and directives of the International Federations concerned. This includes, in particular, the situation of the Wrestling Federation in India." IOC further said.

Also Read: SAFF Championship 2023: "I'm pretty sure we have a lot to improve," Sunil Chhetri opened up after the victory against Pakistan

The IOC had said in March this year that the IOA must appoint a CEO without any delay. Along with this, it was also announced to hold the IOC 2023 session in Mumbai.

As per the new constitution framed by the Supreme Court-appointed committee, the IOA was to appoint a CEO within a month of the new office-bearers headed by PT Usha taking over as general secretary. The new IOA council took office in December but the CEO has not been appointed in seven months. IOA Secretary General Kalyan Choubey is acting as the CEO. The CEO shall be a member of the Executive Council of the IOA without voting rights.