Indian case presented to IOC, no decision yet: Tarlochan Singh to NDTV

Members of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) met officials from the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne on Wednesday and presented its case to lift the ban imposed on it.

Tarlochan Singh, a long-time senior IOA vice-president and part of the delegation, spoke to NDTV and said India's case was presented and the IOC response was good. "The response from IOC officials was positive. We are hopeful of a positive reaction," he said. More meetings are scheduled.

Sports Minister Jitendra Singh, sports secretary P K Deb, Beijing Olympics gold-medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra and Olympian sailor Malav Shroff are also in Lausanne. IOA acting president VK Malhotra and IOC member in India Randhir Singh however had opted to stay back, a day after the IOC agreed to include Hockey India secretary Narinder Batra and Jharkhand Olympic Association R K Anand in the IOA delegation for the meeting, in addition to the four-member list submitted earlier.

The joint meeting - on Wednesday - was from 9 am to 12 noon (local time). It was followed by the Sports Ministry delegation making a courtesy call to IOC President Jacques Rogge.

In December last year, India were debarred by IOC for failing to adhere to its Olympic Charter. IOA was repeatedly warned to conduct elections as per the international charter and was also asked for 'clear and written guarantees.'

Consequently, IOC said it failed to get any assurances and de-recognised India. A day later, IOA went ahead and conducted its elections.

Jitendra Singh - also in Laussane for the meeting - has since repeatedly said that the government is committed to resolve the matter.