CWG scam-tainted Suresh Kalmadi appointed IOA life president

CWG scam-tainted Suresh Kalmadi appointed IOA life president The men who brought Indian sports to a virtual standstill are back. Former Indian Olympic Association (IOA) presidents Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala were on Tuesday appointed as life presidents of the apex sports body in the country. "Their names were proposed at the General Body meeting in Chennai today and

were unanimously accepted by the house," a senior IOA official told India Today. Kalmadi remained the president of IOA for 15 long years before his alleged misdeeds in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games were exposed. He was forced to step down and was arrested for misappropriation of funds before he was released on bail.Haryana strongman Chautala was then seen as his heir apparent and was elected as president if the IOA in 2012. His appointment resulted in IOA being suspended for 14 long months.

Chautala also had to step down to pave the way for IOA's comeback into the international Olympic fold.

Chautala too is facing charges of disproportionate assets case, but he is still the man who has been running the IOA affairs from behind the scenes.

There was a move to oust current IOA president N. Ramachandran a little while back before Chautala had to put his foot down and ensured Ramachandran continues to remain at the helm.

As life presidents, Kalmadi and Chautala will not have the voting rights but the top IOA functionaries saw this as an opportunity to reward the two bigwigs who still are capable to pulling the strings in the body.

Meanwhile, the sports ministry has taken a strong objection to the decision taken by the IOA and said it will take appropriate action once the report, that they have sought, is out.

"Sports ministry believes in good governance and the appointment of Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Chautala is unacceptable," sports minister Vijay Goel told India Today.

"We have sought a report from the IOA and action will be taken once we get that report."