Date:18/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/18/stories/2007081857251800.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Major federations boycott meeting

NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the majority of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) on Friday stayed away from a meeting convened by the Union Sports Ministry to discuss the draft National Sports Policy.

“We wrote to the ministry to say that we needed more time to study the draft and understand its implications,” said IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh.

“We have to discuss it among ourselves and consult the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia among others before we can respond,” he added.

A ministry spokesman said on Friday that around 10 National federations including the Equestrian Federation of India attended the meeting. “None of the high-profile federations attended it. Most of them sought more time.” — Special Correspondent

The IOA has convened a meeting here on September 1 to discuss the issue and formulate its strategy.