Indian Olympic Association Okayed Hosting of SAF Games but rejected the Sports Bill

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 24 May 2011 gave the go-ahead to host the multi-discipline SAF Games in 2012.

The executive committee gave its nod for the games, as by rotation it is India’s turn. Since the infrastructure is already in place as a result of the Commonwealth Games that was held in October 2010 in New Delhi and hence only Rs 70-80 crore will be needed for hosting the event.

On 24 May for the first time since 1996 somebody other than Suresh Kalmadi was presiding over the executive committee meeting called to discuss the draft of the proposed sports bill.  All members unanimously decided to reject this bill.  It was argued that in the guise of good governance, the government was trying to take control of sports federations which is not only illegal and unconstitutional but also against the IOC charter.