Batra withdraws as coordinator, says not eyeing IOA posts

Withdrawing himself as coordinator between the International Olympic Committee and the Government in the IOA suspension, Hockey India Secretary General Narinder Batra has made it clear that he is not in the running for any post in the Indian Olympic Association.
"I want to withdraw myself from all future interactions with the Government and IOC," Batra wrote in a letter addressed to banned IOA president Abhay Singh Chautala and Secretary General Lalit Bhanot.
"I also wish to further inform you that I am not a candidate for any post in IOA and do not wish to contest elections for any posts in IOA," he added.

Batra was a part of the delegation that travelled to Lausanne, Switzerland for a meeting with the IOC in May to draw a roadmap for India's return to the Olympic fold.
Criticising India's IOC member Randhir Singh and Jharkhand Olympic Association president R K Anand, Batra hinted that both are responsible for his walkout.
"Off late Mr R K Anand and a few more persons have started a maligning tirade against me for reasons best known to them. They are saying that I am mixed up with the Government of India and IOC and I am working in tandem with the Government and IOC to get ban imposed on a few people in IOA and then stand in elections for Secretary General of IOA.

"I know Mr R K Anand is doing this on brief given to him by Mr Randhir Singh to stop IOA Elections a per condition for IOC recognition and to create a divide within IOA and scuttle the meetings scheduled for 25 August 2013, and 29 September 2013.
"Because if the elections take place then the IOC membership of Mr Randhir Singh is finished and his dream of retiring as IOC member at the age of 70 years and then becoming life member of IOC gets shattered, and if IOA elections do not take place and India remain suspended by IOA, then he remains Secretary General in the eyes of IOC and his wish to continue as IOC member gets fulfilled," Batra stated in the letter.