Time for a change in Indian sport: Former athlete Ashwini Nachappa

As the general body of the Indian Olympic Association met in the capital to discuss the 43 page constitution drafted by the International Olympic Committee, there were scenes of protest outside the meeting venue. (NRAI President asked to leave meeting)

The protests were headed by an organisation called Clean Sports India, that aims to fight corruption and discrepancies in sports. Former athletes Ashwini Nachappa, Moraad Ali Khan and lawyer Rahul Mehra were a part of the protest. They want IOA to adopt IOC's constitution, thereby clean up sports in India.

"It is extremely important because for the first time IOC has taken such a firm decision on IOA. Corruption has been going on for far too long. We have a system that is corrupt, that is not accountable. Time has come for change. This is what we have been fighting for the last three years. Government and IOC are in sync with demands of sportspersons and I hope they adopt these changes. We all know sportsmen are least on priority for all these people. They all have their vested interest. They will not agree on criminal charges," says Ashwini.

Ashwini, who has flown down from Bangalore to join the protest against corrupt officials feels that the change in administration should come at the state and district levels.

2002 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Moraad Ali Khan is also part of the protests outside the meeting venue. "Any resolution coming in today is very very difficult. It is not going to be easy as all the people involved have vested interests. To my mind we are heading for a complete disqualification from the Olympics. It is better for IOC to appoint an ad-hoc committe and start afresh," he said.

If the constitution is not adopted before the IOA's next elections in September, India will remain outside the Olympic fold.