Rijiju promised for 'early resolution' to Olympic Committee's ban

The new sports minister Kiren Rijiju promised to try for an “early resolution” to the International Olympic Committee’s ban on India from hosting global events. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra announced on Thursday (May 5).

In February, the Indian Olympic Committee suspended all Indian applications to host future events and urged international sports federations not to stage competitions in the country. This happened after two Pakistani shooters were denied visas to compete in New Delhi at the World Cup following the Pulwama terror attack.

The IOC said the denial of visas was against the principles of the Olympic Charter. According to the IOC, the ban will not be lifted until the Indian government provides guarantees that no athlete would be denied visas in events held in the country.

“Mr Ajay Singh President Boxing Federation of India and I, met with the Honorable Sports Minister of India Mr Kiren Rijiju at his residence office. We briefed him on the ban imposed by IOC in relation to hosting of all International Sports Events in India,” Batra said. “Honourable minister understood the issue and assured us of all his support for trying for an early resolution,” he added.

Batra, who is also heading the International Hockey Federation (FIH), was accompanied by the president of boxing federation. He also said that he has invited him to visit Bhubaneshwar on 15th June. This invite has been given to witness the finals of World Series Hockey which is a Qualifier for final Qualification round for Tokyo 2020.

The attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama killed at least 40 CRPF paramilitary personnel. India alleged that it was carried out by a Pakistan-based terror outfit. The IOC went strictly by its rule book while imposing the suspension on India. It urged all international sports federations not to hold events or grant hosting rights to the country.