New Delhi: Indian Olympic association (IOA) today assured all possible help to the sportspersons who will represent the country in the London Games.“All the Federations whose sportspersons will qualify for the London Olympic Games will get unstinted support and every help from the IOA “announced IOA acting president Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra.
Addressing the meeting of the IOA’s Monitoring Committee for the preparations of the London Games, Prof Malhotra said “We will go extra mile to help the sportspersons to help them bring glory to the country”.
He said IOA has already decided to disburse all the money which it will from the sponsors to the qualified players and on top of it “IOA will provide them extra incentive for coaching and training’.
“From IOA’s side we will leave no stone unturned to fulfill the requirements of the sports persons, but I hope they will also reciprocate these efforts by putting up their best performance in the Games. Let there be no excuses”.
“IOA is looking into the requests that sports persons be provided Indian food during the Games. We will consult our High Commission in London in this regard”.
He also urged the participating Federations to keep the Sports ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI) informed about their requirements on daily basis “Let us be united in the aim to raise the standard of sports in the country”.
He urged the sports persons to remain focused on their preparations "We have pledged them all help so that they can concentrate on their goal and that is to make country proud in the Olympics".
IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh urged the participating Federations to keep the IOA informed about the status and state of preparedness of their qualified sportspersons.”IOA should be kept in loop and Federations should try to avoid last minute hassles.
Reacting to National Rifle Association of India’s (NRAI) plea for accommodating more coaches and trainers in the Olympic Games Village, Mr Randhir Singh said “The accommodation in the village is provided by the organizers on a particular quota system, which is uniform and applicable to all and no exemptions or exceptions are made for a particular squad.”
Convener of the committee K.P.Singh Deo said the need of the hour is to get the imported equipment available the sportspersons as soon as possible. ”Many a times delay in getting the equipment cost us medals”.
He said Sports Ministry and its officials have said that there will be no delay in getting these equipments clear “This time we are hopeful of avoiding last minute confusion”.
SAI director P C Kashyap said as per their projection Indian contingent is likely to have over 80 sportspersons for the Games.”We in SAI will like to be kept posted with the development on the team’s preparations .We are committed to give all help”.
Officials of the participating federations and Athletes representative G.S.Randhawa attended the meeting.
By Indian Sports News Network
