By Staff Reporter

When modern Olympics were conceived by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, he never knew that after a century, there will be people at helms, who will not like reading the charter for fear of losing their hegemony.

The International Olympic Council is an international non-governmental not-for-profit organization, of unlimited duration, in the form of an association.

The Olympic Charter says that the practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organization, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organizations.

It further states that members of the IOC will not accept from governments, organizations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote.

It reiterates its autonomy. The National Olympic Committees must preserve their autonomy and resist but not limited to political, legal, religious or economic them from complying with the Olympic Charter. It goes on saying that governments or other public authorities shall not designate any member of an NOC. However, an NOC may decide, at its discretion, to elect as member/representative of such authorities.

National Sports Policy

It is recognized that the management and development of Sports are the function of the Indian Olympic Association and the National Sports Federations, which are Autonomous Bodies and who, in turn, have affiliated State level and District level Associations. The Government and other concerned agencies and the Federations/Associations have, therefore, to work together harmoniously and in a coordinated manner to fulfill the objectives of the National Sports Policy, 2001. At the same time, the Indian Olympic Association and the various Sports Federations/Associations will need to demonstrate orientation towards the achievement of results and ensure tangible progress in the field of Sports, keeping which in view, model bye-laws/organizational structures may be formulated for the NSFs, in consultation with them, and with due regard to the Olympic Charter, so as to make the functioning of the Federations/Association transparent, professional and accountable.

Acknowledging the importance of National Championships for developing competitive spirit and for talent-scouting, it would be incumbent on the Federations /Associations to hold Annual Championships in various disciplines in all categories, viz, Seniors, Juniors and Sub-Juniors (for both Men & Women) at the District, State and National levels.