Indian Olympic Association Officials Unhappy With President N. Ramachandran

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach's words during his one day visit to India were true. "The officials here (of the IOA) need to find unity among themselves, and focus on the athletes and their success," Bach said, after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The IOC chief perhaps understands all too well that it's a tall task.(India Not in Race to Host 2024 Olympics: Bach)

NDTV understands there is major discontent among members of the IOA for a while now. N Ramachandran, much like his brother N Srinivasan, believes in running the show all by himself. Decisions are taken by him usually without the knowledge of the IOA's other office bearers.

Ramachandran's decision to meet Bach in Lausanne last month, without the knowledge of any of his IOA colleagues, was what made matters worse. He was accompanied by Sports Secretary, Ajit Sharan, on that trip.

On the morning of the all-important meeting with IOC Chief Bach on Monday, almost all IOA officials this reporter spoke with, had no idea what was on the agenda. Most questions were responded with a shoulder shrug. A "the president knows" at the most.

An IOC chief's visit is always a big deal. It is an opportunity to showcase what you have in terms of talent, infrastructure, systems. More importantly, it's a golden opportunity to network. There was much excitement in Pune in 2008, when then IOC Chief Jacques Rogge visited the venue of the Youth Commonwealth Games. His successor Thomas Bach's visit in comparison was subdued and largely a very hushed affair.

The 45 minute long meeting with IOA officials was held at a bar at a five star hotel in New Delhi. President Bach, with N Ramachandran in tow, was rushed up to his suite the moment the meeting was done. An IOC official accompanying Bach, told a very senior IOA official (who did not want to be named), "This was obviously arranged in a massive hurry".

Even post the meeting, officials were disinterested and vague, about how the meeting went, and what it was really all about. "Six of us made speeches, and we talked about government interference in our functioning. Nothing more than that," IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh told NDTV.

A Special General Body Meeting is being planned to move a no-confidence motion against Ramachandran. The opposing group needs 2/3rd majority of the votes to pass it. IOA officials, headed by Hockey India president Narinder Batra, is confident that they will be able to garner the numbers against Ramachandran very easily.