Sarita Devi Apologised, Her Issue Will be Solved Soon: N Ramachandran Tells NDTV
Indian Olympic Association boss N Ramachandran spoke to NDTV about the Sarita Devi case and addressed various other issues pertaining to Indian sports. Catch all the highlights here.
Indian Olympic Association boss N Ramachandran spoke exclusively to NDTV on various issues pertaining to Indian sport. He opened up on the mishandling Sarita Devi case, the lack of a grievance redressal system for athletes and more. Here are some of the highlights from the exclusive interview:
- IOA followed the correct procedure in the Sarita Devi case. She has apologised and we are sure the case will be resolved soon.
- For IOA, the athletes come first. We acted with complete alacrity in the Sarita case.
- As far as the IOA is concerned, we have to protect our athletes from any injustice. However, a referee's decision cannot be challenged.
- We cannot anticipate each and every problem. Sarita case was an unprecedented event that took place. The athlete in question has had 14 years in boxing. We had a meeting on Monday and the issue has been sorted out to a large extent.
- The athlete herself has apologised so the problem will be solved. Rome was not built in one day.
- Whatever IOA had to do, it has been done. We always stand up for the athletes.
- It is natural for athletes to breakdown under certain circumstances. To be honest, Sarita's behaviour doesn't do good for IOA. With great difficulty we are back in the International fold.
- Sports ministry ignored the IOA while forming Target Olympic Podium Scheme including athletes like Rahul Dravid, Mary Kom, Abhinav Bindra etc.
- The sports ministry should have kept IOA in the loop. I will write to the ministry about the issue.
- If we don't send officials for major sporting events, we can't join World Sports Bodies. It is important to send administrators on such trips.
- The government needs to allot more money on sports. Other countries, smaller in size than India, get much more money than what Indian sports federation gets to invest in sports.
- We have a long-term plan in place for athletes in place.
- IOA will function transparently and also set up grievance redressal system.IOA will also involve athletes in IOA committees.
- The government is right in asking athletes to put India first and base their grants on athletes' availability for India.