IOA fears losing grip over state associations: HOA chief

P V Rathee, who heads the rival faction of the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA), today said the only reason why the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was not granting them recognition was that the national governing body fears losing grip over state bodies.

IOA has not granted Rathee-led faction the status of a state association but allowed them to be part of the ongoing National Games in Jharkhand.

The other faction of the HOA is led by Indian National Lok Dal MLA Abhay Singh Chautala. Both the factions are locked in a legal battle, claiming to be the official state body to run sports affairs.

"IOA fears that it may lose its grip over the state associations. We have started a legal process, which IOA fears that others may also start," Rathee, who is also Haryana's DGP
(CID), said at a news conference here on Thursday.

Asked about the recent media reports that IOA has given recognition to Chautala headed HOA, with IOA president Suresh Kalmadi approving the report of Anand Commission, which had
recognised the Chautala group, Rathee said, "The reports were not true and the Chautala faction had tried to distort facts and mislead the people".