New Delhi: The present and past Olympians of the country will get a platform to air their achievements and grievances with the formation of Olympian Association of India (OAI) here on Monday.
This is going to be a big step in organizing the sportspersons who have represented the country at the highest platform under one umbrella, said Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Randhir Singh.
For long the Olympians were looking for a platform to give their views about the state of sports and sports persons in the country, the OAI will provide them this opportunity, Randhir Singh said in a statement.
He also said the elections for new office bearers for the Arjuna Awardee Association will also be held on Monday. “I along with Bishen Singh Bedi and others office bearers are stepping down. It has been decided that the Association will have a totally new set of Office bearers and if need be there may be some new additions or amendments to its existing constitution.”
“We want the sports persons have their say through these two associations” They are the major stake holders and time has come that their views are heard and respected.”
“We don’t want any sports person to feel left out, hence this decision to revamp Arjuna Awardee Association and to make it pro active,” he said.
The IOA secretary General made it clear that the formation of OAI is as per the Olympic Charter. World over such associations exist with the full blessing of their respective National Olympic Committees(NOCs).
He said setting of OAI seven months before the London Games is bound to give Indian participants taking part in it a great boost.
Randhir Singh said sportspersons will also have representation in the IOA.. "We in the IOA want sports persons to have more say. I dare say from tomorrow onwards Sports persons will have their voices heard both in the IOA, National sports federations and in the sports ministry.”
He said IOA has already set up several commissions to look into the various aspects of the sports management in the country and also to provide guidance to sportspersons and officials.