IOA should accept IOC directive: Randhir Singh

Says had he been in the eye of storm, he would have moved away

International Olympic Committee member of India, Randhir Singh today asked the officials of suspended IOA to accept the IOC's directive to bar charge-framed persons from contesting elections or face further action from the world body.

"My friends in IOA are misinformed. They don't realise the gravity of the situation. They don't realise what IOC says, it has to be accepted. You can't go against the IOC but yes, you can negotiate with them, you can discuss with them on certain other matters. It's time a clean set-up comes into place," said Randhir.

The Indian Olympic Association has continued to be in a defiant mood despite the IOC's tough stand on the chargesheet clause. It had decided in its Special GBM last month that only those who were sentenced for two or more years would be barred from contesting polls.

The IOC stood firm on its stand during its Executive Board (EB) meeting in Buenos Aires earlier this month and asked IOA to accept all demands in full, including barring charge-framed persons from contesting IOA's elections.

Randhir, who was IOA secretary general before the Indian body was suspended by the IOC on December 4 last, said had he been in the eye of storm, he would have recused himself from discharging duties.

"If it was me, I would have moved away. It's up to them to answer it and come clear on the issue," he said.

The veteran administrator also rubbished claims that he should be held responsible for dragging Indian sports into this situation.

"It's nothing personal about the IOA. If the IOC says this is according to the Olympic charter, then you have to follow them," he said.