IOC lifts restrictions on India from hosting international tournaments
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revoked the ban on India on Thursday from hosting international tournaments. The decision was taken in the meeting of the executive board of the IOC in Lausane. Two days back the Central Government had assured that no eligible player will be denied a visa for political reasons. In a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Chairman Narinder Batra, IOC director (Olympic solidarity and NOC relationship) James McLeod expressed satisfaction over the assurances given by the Indian government.
IOC director James McLeod said, “We withdraw the ban imposed from February 21, 2019 on IOC for the purpose of hosting any sports event in India with immediate effect. We thank the National Olympic Committee and the Indian Government for their joint efforts in solving this issue. “
After India did not give visa to two Pakistani shooters for the World Cup in Delhi in February this year, IOC had refused to talk to India in connection with hosting global tournaments. After this World Wrestling withdrew the Junior Asian Wrestling Championship from India. India also lost the Junior Davis Cup and the Fed Cup hosting. The Tennis Federation however said that they had given up the hosting on their own for economic reasons.
IOC also withdrew the Olympic qualifier status from the New Delhi Shooting World Cup. After the martyrdom of 40 CRPF martyrs in the terrorist attack on Pulwama, India did not give visa to Pakistani shooters. Last year, India did not give visa to Kosovo boxers in the World Women’s Championship in Delhi.
After the ISSF World Cup controversy, the IOC had said that it will not host the Olympics-related tournaments to India until the assurances are received by the government. On behalf of the government, sports secretary Radheshyam Jhulania, IOA president Batra said that India will allow all selected players to participate even if they belong to any National Olympic Committee or international federation.
