Convenor demands probe against NGOC organising secretary

Amidst speculations of further delay in the 34th National Games, slated to be held between February 15-28 in Jharkhand, Convenor of Games Coordination Committee at Jamshedpur and chief of Tata steel sports department Sanjeeva Singh today demanded an inquiry by hosts Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA).

Singh alleged that National Games Organising Secretary S M Hashmi was ''acting at his own will ignoring the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) guidelines in distribution of funds and accredition of various sports bodies'' and demanded to probe into the utilisation of funds given for the preparations of the games so far. Addressing a press conference here this evening, Singh, also a Dronacharya awardee for his contribution as archery coach of the Indian team, alleged that Hashmi and his aide, JOA treasurer Madhukant Pathak, were trying to decide everything regarding national games instead of the JOA body.

''One or two persons cannot act on behalf of the JOA. The duo has forcibly become office bearers of several sports associations defying IOA guidelines. Hashmi should give accounts for the expenditure done so far for organising various camps and other related activities and produce related certificates. A committee of JOA should look into the matter,'' he said, adding the games cannot be organised on its schedule if proper assesment is not done in tomorrows' meeting of various competition directors at Ranchi.

''We in Jamshedpur, despite delay in getting funds, can be ready for the four events - Boxing, Archery, Weightlifting and Women's football - just in time and are even ready to take the burden of two more events, but going by the plight of the venues in Ranchi, if the games are somehow thrust, it will only cause insult for the state,'' he said.

The Games, to be held in Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad, were marred by controversies right from the beginning. The total expenditure on the Games is supposed to be more than Rs 1,000 crore, including a contribution of Rs 150 crore from Tata Group.

-- (UNI) -- 11SPC3.xml

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