Gill defends new regulations; says no affect on CWG

Sticking to his guns in the face of stringent criticism from various federation bosses, Sports minister MS Gill today asserted that the new regulations limiting the tenures of NSF and IOA officials will not affect the Commonwealth Games later this year. The minister said the new regulations will not have any immediate effect, but will come into operation when the National Sports
Federations (NSF) next hold their elections.

''We have made it clear that all office bearers (sports bodies) continue their work and as and when future elections come which are mainly in 2012, 2013 and 2014, these regulations will apply,'' Gill told reporters outside the Parliament. ''The IOC says 12 years for the president, age limit of 70 and we said we will go with that. So now 12 years. But if somebody wants 12 into 30 and plus 40 I have nothing to say. That's all we have done nothing more, nothing less,'' he added. Gill was unperturbed despite severe criticism of his move, including Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief Suresh Kalmadi stating that he has just restored the previous order issued by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974-75. ''Its a free country and I welcome comment.

''Let me explain what we have precisely done. In the time of Mrs Indira Gandhi, 1974-75 these regulations were issued by the Education Sports Ministry limiting terms among other things for better management and promotion of sports in India. That was the fundamental objective,'' Gill said. ''However, these had been set aside in a casual order in August 2002 by the then minister. We have restored the regulations of 74-75. I have made no new regulations of my own. ''We have studied IOC regulations and we say let's stick with what IOC has done so that we are in tune with them,'' he added.