IOA Gets Exception From Sports Ministry, Can Continue With 16-Member Executive Council

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will continue with its 16-member Executive Council after the Sports Ministry granted it an exemption from a provision of the new National Sports Governance Act that limits the panel to 15 members.

The decision follows a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which advised that the IOA should retain its existing council strength to ensure that the organisation remains compliant with the Olympic Charter.

The issue arose because the IOA's Executive Council currently has 16 members, including the IOC member in India, who is an ex-officio member with voting rights. Under the new Indian law, the council would otherwise have to be reduced to 15.

The Sports Ministry invoked Article 37(2) of the National Sports Governance Act to provide the relaxation. The provision allows national sports bodies to receive exemptions where necessary to remain aligned with the statutes and requirements of their respective international sporting federations.

According to the ministry's notification, the IOC specifically recommended that the number of Executive Council members should remain unchanged and should not depend on the number of IOC members in India. This effectively means the council will comprise 15 elected members plus the IOC member, maintaining the 16-member structure.

The ministry said national sports bodies are expected to be guided primarily by international charters and statutes while managing their affairs. It also said the exemption was necessary to harmonise the requirements of Indian law with the Olympic Charter.

The IOA has said it will continue complying with the other provisions of the Sports Governance Act. It recently amended its constitution at a Special General Body Meeting to incorporate the age and tenure limits prescribed under the new law.

The exemption comes at an important time for the IOA, which is scheduled to hold its elections later this year. The ministry's decision removes a potential conflict between the new governance law and the IOC's requirements before the electoral process begins.