Gill limits tenure of NSFs and IOC

New Delhi, May 2 : Sports Minister M S Gill has reportedly taken on Indian Olympic Association (IOC) Chief Suresh Kalmadi and decided to limit the term of office bearers of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the IOC.

The modifications to tenure regulations have been made in accordance with the IOC charter.

The government has been seized of the issue concerning the duration of tenures in respect of office bearers of recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs), including Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

"Government regulations issued on the subject vide letter No.11-4/74-SP.I dated 20th September, 1975 had capped the tenure of the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer at not more than two consecutive terms of four years each," said a statement issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

"However, the said regulation was kept in abeyance by way of executive instructions issued vide orders dated 11.10.2001, 24.8.2002 and 31.10.2002," the statement adds.

The ministry further says that with a view to encouraging professional management, good governance, transparency, accountability, democratic elections, etc. in NSFs, including IOA, the Government has decided to restore the tenure clause, which was kept in abeyance since October, 2001, with immediate effect subject to the modification that the maximum tenure of the President of an NSF, including IOA, shall be twelve years with or without break; and that for the Secretary and the Treasurer shall be not more than two successive tenures of four years each.

"The Secretary and the Treasurer shall be eligible for standing for re-election to the post after a minimum interval of four years. Further, there will be a retirement age of seventy years for all members and office bearers. This brings our tenure regulation in line with that of IOC. The above mentioned tenure limit shall come into operation with immediate effect for all elections conducted henceforth," the ministry says.

"However, in the case of existing office bearers who are attracting the above restrictions, but were duly elected to their posts, and are currently serving their tenure, the tenure limit will be enforceable only after the expiry of the current tenure," it adds.