Will Chandigarh Olympic Association follow NSDC?

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 17

Will the Chandigarh Olympic Association (COA) follow National Sports Development Code (NSDC) in its upcoming elections on January 27? Though the COA claims that is not bound to follow the NSDC, a circular issued by the UT Sports Department before their 2016 elections describes the situation otherwise.

“We are not bound to follow the NSDC as per the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) guidelines. Otherwise also, we have nothing to hide anything from anyone,” said Maha Singh, general secretary, COA. When asked about the UT Sports Department’s old circular, wherein the COA was asked to follow the NSDC or no observer would be appointed for their elections, Singh said “If they (Sports Department) don’t want to send an observer then it’s their wish.”

Notably, on failing to adopt the NSDC an organisation did not get financial assistance from the Sports Department.

As per letter dated March 2, 2016, the then Joint Director (Sports), UT Sports Department, asked the COA to implement the NSDC.

“The provisions of the NSDC have been enforced to improve governance and functioning of associations. It’s mandatory for associations recognised by the UT Sports Department and the Chandigarh Sport Council to implement the said provisions for the release of grants,” the circular stated.

Is COA a defaulter?

Meanwhile, in another circular issued on September 23, 2016, the then Director Sports, UT Sports Department, confirmed that the COA had been declared defaulter. “The Chandigarh Sports Council has extended RsRs 3, 87,869 financial assistance to the COA. After deducting outstanding Rs78,520, the balance was released on January 1, 2015. The COA has not submitted utilisation certificate in this regard. The list of eligible voters has not been submitted to the department. The COA has been declared defaulter due to non compliance of the NSDC formalities, which were to be implemented by March 2, 2016,” he said.

Not received any request for poll observer

Meanwhile, the Director (Sports), UT Sports Department, Tejdeep Singh Saini, confirmed that they had not received any request from the COA to appoint an observer for the elections. “We have not received any request from the COA till date,” he said.

“All associations should follow whatever guidelines/code issued by the Ministry of Sports or the UT Sports Department, Chandigarh,” he added.

“The COA has been asking its affiliated units to follow the NSDC while electing their bodies. However, the association did not implement the code on itself. In last elections, certain associations were debarred from taking part in the election process for not following the NSDC. If Chandigarh Sports Department and Council has implemented it on everyone, then why not on the COA?” questioned Chander Mukhi Sharma, president, Chandigarh Basketball Association.