Olympics ban on India sad, but not wrong: minister

Sports minister Jitendra Singh today virtually supported the International Olympic Committee in its continued ban on India from the Olympic movement and international sports held under its aegis.

The IOC today said India would continue to be banned from the Olympics due to poor administration, despite cosmetic changes proposed by the Indian Olympic Association.

Jitendra Singh said in a TV interview that the union government does not dispute the IOC ruling that the Indian association must include the 'charge-sheet' clause for better governance.

The clause specifies that anybody facing charges under Indian law should be ineligible for election to the Indian Olympic Association or related bodies.

The sports minister said he was saddened by IOA's reluctance to amend its constitution in accordance with the IOC's suggestion. "For a sportsperson one is very upset that the ban has not been lifted.

"The IOC has a no tolerance on ethics. The government is in sync with what the IOC says. We will request the IOC to think of an alternative method," the minister said.