Former Indian Olympic Association President Vijay Kumar Malhotra today hailed the IOC's decision to lift the ban on India, saying the country should now focus on preparing for the Commonwealth and Asian Games scheduled later this year.
"I am happy that suspension is over and now Indian teams and players will take part in the International events under the national flag," Malhotra said in a statement.
Malhotra said India has always supported the Olympic charter and "hopefully the Olympic movement will become stronger in the country".
Malhotra said with the lifting of the suspension, the IOA should now prepare the teams for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
"Besides the sports administrators, it is also the duty and responsibility of the sportspersons to gear up for the coming events and put up a good show to bring laurel to the country," he said.
Malhotra appealed to all the National Sports Federations to give their unstinting support to the newly-elected IOA office-bearers.
"It is a time for all of us to put up a united show for the betterment of Indian sports. People of the country are looking up to the IOA with lot of expectations and we should not let them down," he said.
