In blow of controversial London trip, Suresh Kalmadi, chief of sacked New Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee followed a move against Sports Minister, saying he will witness London Olympics.
“I have every right to attend the Olympics. As president of the Asian Athletics Federation, I have been invited by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF), of which I am also a council member. I am still the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president,” Kalmadi told reporters.
The tainted sports administrator was accused by CBI of corruption charges in connection with the 2010 Commonwealth Games and is bailed after passing nine months in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
However, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court allowed him to go to London trip, but Sport Minister Ajay Maken demanded to cancel his trip until clearance of his charges.
“No charge has been proven against me, how can I be called corrupt?” Kalmadi said.
Attacking on Maken for his interruption with the functioning of sports bodies and causing “groupism”, Kalmadi requested PM to ask for his resignation for contempt of court, in charge to go against the court’s decision.
According to source, Kalmadi accused Maken running the vilification campaign that meant to cause a split between the officials and athletes and jeopardise India’s medal prospects.
Interestingly, the IOA left aside from this controversy linked with sacked committee chief who is now not a member of the IOA delegation.
Meanwhile, Kalmadi would go to London on basis of himself, not as IOA delegation member.
