Dimapur, April 24 (MExN): Nine members representing Olympic associations of states in the North East have voiced “deep concern and resentment” over the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) treatment to Nagaland Chief Minister and President of the Nagaland Olympic Association, Neiphiu Rio.
The Olympic associations members shot of a letter to the President of Indian Olympic Association, Narinder Dhruv Batra expressing their displeasure at the IOA “for not officially acknowledging the benign presence” of the Nagaland Chief Minister at an event organised to welcome President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach during the latter’s maiden visit to India.
“Though the Chief Minister attended the event as President of the Nagaland Olympic Association, his stature as the Chief Minister of a state of the Indian union cannot be ignored, which demands recognition, reception and treatment as per laid down protocol rules, which were flawed and ignored by the IOA,” the members contended.
It added that the “unwelcoming behavior” meted out to a constitutionally elected head of a state is not only demeaning and discriminatory towards the NE region and its leader, but an insult to the Indian democracy.
It further maintained that lead promoters of Olympic Games in the NE-region have been discouraged and hurt by this conduct and as such, urged IOA not to repeat “such unconstitutional attitude” towards a Chief Minister in future.
The letter was signed by Meren Paul, Secretary General, Nagaland Olympic Association; Sunil Elangbam, Secretary General, Manipur Olympic Association; Jaslal Pradhan, (Arjuna Awardee) General secretary, Sikim Olympic Association; A.K Techi, Secretary General, Arunachal Olympic Association; John F. Kharshiing, working President, Megalaya Olympic Association; B.K Ruka, President, Sikim Olympic Association; C. Laltlanthanga, Secretary General, Mizoram Olympic Association; BamangTago, (Delegate) Chairman, Sports Authority of Arunachal; and Dr. Rupak Deb Roy, Secretary, Tripura Olympic Association.
