IOA mulls over to include more former sportspersons in administration

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is contemplating to include more former sportspersons in the administration of various national federations, its president Suresh Kalmadi said today.

"We are planning how to bring in retired sportspersons and work with them in tandem in the administration of sports," Kalmadi said at a press conference ahead of the National Games which starts in Ranchi tomorrow.

"I am also happy that young Ajay Maken became the sports minister in the Manmohan Singh cabinet," Kalmadi, who is facing investigations into the Commonwealth Games scam, said without elaborating much.

Lauding the multi-complex Khelgaon, Kalmadi said the National Games beginning tomorrow in Jharkhand has become all the more important as London Olympic Games is just over a year away.

"This National Games have a special importance as players will be selected for various sporting events for the Olympic Games in 2012. They will be sent for coaching camps," he added.

Expressing happiness over all the union territories participating for the first time in the games history, he said, "The National Games have been delayed, but it (delay) is worthwhile, because the sporting infrastructure is of international standard."