The Indian Olympic Association’s Associate Vice-President Narinder Batra offered his resignation on Friday in the wake of tainted former administrators Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala being offered “life president” posts.
The IOA’s decision to induct Kalmadi and Chautala sparked off an outrage from several corners, most notably from the Sports Ministry. Vijay Goel, the Sports Minister, lashed out at IOA’s decision and categorically stated that the the sports body would be de-recognised by the government unless they went back on their decision. Kalmadi and Chautala rejected the life president posts in successive days with the latter hitting back at Goel’s comments, remarking that the Sports Minister had ‘failed in his responsibility’.
Batra, who is also the president of the International Hockey Federation, had suggested on Thursday that he considered relinquishing his post. “I might be quitting the IOA soon because I can’t be associated with something which does not make sense to me in terms of good governance,” Batra was quoted as saying by IANS.
Batra also demanded Chautala and Kalmadi to stay away from accepting the positions that were offered to them until they were given a clean chit. “They should not accept this position till the time their names are cleared,” Batra added.