Quite frankly, for the present IOA lot, the time is up: Bindra

Tarlochan Singh is a vice-president in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and even as he was constantly criticised over the IOA over the fracas with the International Olympic Council by Rajdeep Sardesai on CNN-IBN, he smiled benignly. And then almost patronisingly said: ‘We won’t disappoint, we won’t disappoint, we won’t disappoint.’

To put things into perspective though, you have to understand that the IOA was suspended by the IOC way back in December 2012 and they continue to remain suspended because of their refusal to incorporate the contentious-proposed clause that would have barred chargesheeted individuals from holding any post.

The IOA adamantly refuses to accept the IOC's clause on ethics. AFP

Abhinav Bindra, India’s only Olympic gold medallist, was also part of the show and his anger was very clearly evident.

“Ethics is one of the main reason from our suspension. Unless we get that right, we are not going to get back in. Why is that so difficult to understand?” asked Abhinav. “People have to put their own interests aside. They have to look beyond their personal interests. They have to see the bigger picture.”

Tarlochan Singh’s reply showed just how stubborn the old-timers in the IOA can be.

“We agree that anyone tainted and corrupt should not be part of the IOA. But the chargesheet clause is a new one. The SC verdict disqualified MPs and MLAs on being convicted in criminal case. But chargesheeted MPs and MLAs can continue. So that is the law of the land. Can we treat the chargesheeted in the same way as the convicted?”

Not for a moment did Tarlochan think about the embarrassment that the athletes need to face every time they go abroad to compete for the country.

“It is humiliating for us. When we are travelling abroad to take part in a tournament and representing the country and people ask what sort of system do you have back in India. It is a joke. Your athletes win you medals and glory and you can’t even do so much for them. If you can’t do even this, then at least grant them your respect,” said Bindra. “Quite frankly, for the present lot (of administrators), the time is up.”

Time, however, is something that Tarlochan believes IOA have a lot of.

“I don’t agree with him (Bindra). Sports in the country has grown because of the sportspersons and the federations. It’s not a one-way street.”

Bindra remains hopeful of change but given how Tarlochan reacted to his arguments made one think that the only chance of change is a completely new federation – that cuts through all the corrupt and tainted in one go.