Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi said that with MS Gill taking over as the Union Sports Ministry is all set to travel in a new direction.
The Indian Olympic Association president rubbishes cancellation of Olympic torch relay
PUNE: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi said that with MS Gill taking over as the Union Sports Ministry is all set to travel in a new direction.
Talking to DNA, Kalmadi said that things would head in the right direction with a change of guard in the Indian sports arena.
“There will be no delay or hurdles in any department as we have a right person at the helm of sports in the country and you will see that the pace is set for things to move in the right direction.”
Rubbishing the rumour about the torch relay being cancelled, Kalmadi said, “There was a speculation over the fate of the torch relay with some participants backing off and Tibetans from all over the country beginning to gather for protests. The event is not going to be called off.”
Kalmadi said that the 3km torch relay would be a great success when it sets from the Rajpath on April 17. He asserted that the IOA would leave no stone unturned to make
the event grand and that things would get clearer when the final call would be taken in Delhi on Tuesday. He said that arrangements were made to make this event memorable.
The IOA chief was awarded the certificate of merit by Association of National Olympic Committees in Beijing on Saturday. Kalmadi, who was busy with the IOA meeting, could not be there in person to receive the award.
Talking on Baichung Bhutia’s decision of not participating in the event, he said, “It is sad, but it is Bhutia’s take and we as the Olympic body have no say in this.
Sportsmenwomen are lining up to hold the torch and we will see the cream of the present and former champions’ at thisrelay,” he said.
“The Indian Premier League, which begins on April 18, could see some of the best cricketers keeping away from the relay, but we have other star sportsmen available,” added Kalmadi.
PT Usha, Anju Bobby George, Milkha Singh will be among other sportspersons who will attend the function. Kalmadi refused to comment on a former tennis star who declined the invitation.
“There are many who cannot attend the function as they are either attending camps or tournaments. But there are enough players to make this event a great success,” he said.
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