The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has again invited representatives of the suspended IOA and Sports Ministry for a meeting in Lausanne on May 7 in yet another attempt to find a way for India's return to the Olympic movement even as the stand-off between the government and sport body persisted.
After the joint meeting, which was earlier scheduled to be held in Lausanne on April 15 and 16, was postponed for the second time in two months last week due to the stand-off between the IOA and the government, the Indian Olympic Association acting chief V K Malhotra had sought directions from its world parent body on how to resolve the matter.
Responding to Malhotra's request, IOC's National Olympic Committee relations director Pere Miro, in his letter to IOA said, "It is very surprising that you request our guidance as to what action you should take since we have made it clear since January this year that the only way to find a solution is for all parties to meet, discuss and agree on a roadmap.
"For that purpose we invited you to a meeting in Lausanne and proposed concrete dates. However, you did not reply to our invitation.
"Now we hereby call for a meeting to be held on 7 May 2013 in Lausanne," he wrote.
The IOC also requested the IOA to confirm its attendance by April 16. The IOC also wrote a separate letter to the Sports Minister.
"You or the competent bodies of the suspended IOA are requested to confirm your attendance as well as the names and functions of the persons who will form the delegation of the suspended IOA by 16 April at the latest," he said.
The letter also said that the IOC will invite the Sports Minister Jitendra Singh to attend the meeting.
"We will also extend an official invitation to the Sports Minister Mr. Jitendra Singh," it said.
Miro added that the purpose of the meeting would be the same as was mentioned in the IOC's letter, dated March 1, 2013.
