IOC Wants Indian Olympic Association Elections To Be 'Fair And Transparent'

The IOC urged that elections for the presidency of the Indian Olympic Association later this month must be "fair and transparent to allow the world's second-most populous nation to tap its sports potential," according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS. The run-up to the IOA vote has been "mired in controversy with beleaguered President Suresh Kalmadi bowing to pressure in October and not seeking re-election." IOC VP Thomas Bach was asked about what the IOC expected from the Nov. 25 vote in New Delhi and said, "Top priority for the IOC is integrity." The frontrunners for the IOA presidency are Indian Amateur Boxing Federation President Abhay Chautala and IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh (REUTERS, 11/15).