In a rather bizarre and shocking development, Suresh Kalmadi was appointed as Life President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on December 27th, 2016, in Chennai at the Annual General Meeting.
The appointment of Suresh Kalmadi has shocked everyone in the sporting fraternity and big questions are being raised over the appointment of a person accused of serious corruption and involvement in possibly the biggest sporting scam India has ever seen (2010 Commonwealth Games).
Also read: Twitter explodes as tainted official Suresh Kalmadi offered IOA Lifetime Presidency
Kalmadi was not the only controversial appointment as former President of Boxing Federation of India, Abhay Chautala, was also given the same post. Albeit an IOA Life President cannot vote, choosing the likes of Kalmadi and Chautala is nothing short of appalling and an indictment of the Indian sporting administration.
Sportskeeda looks at 5 concrete reasons why the appointment of Suresh Kalmadi is downright wrong and should be revoked with immediate effect.
#1 Prime accused in 2010 Commonwealth Games scam
Suresh Kalmadi was arrested in 2011 on account of serious corruption charges and financial crimes committed by him while he was the Chairman of the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.
A member of the ruling party then, Kalmadi was the face of this multi-crore scam that rocked the country and exposed the rampant corruption which had plagued Indian sport for decades.
Among alleged crimes committed by Kalmadi, the prime was making inappropriate payments to equipment firms, thereby leading to huge losses for the government. Not only this, Kalmadi was also sentenced to 10 months in prison and was considered to be an “embarrassment to the country” by the Delhi High Court.
#2 Lack of support from all corners
The first thing that happens in India, more often than not, when someone from the political establishment is charged with corruption is her/his party instantly denies any and all allegations. However, in this case, Kalmadi was not able to garner the support of his party – the Indian National Congress – which suspended his membership when he was arrested.
Moreover, former Indian Sports Minister and leader of the Congress party Ajay Maken instantly demanded the revoking of the decision to make Kalmadi a Lifetime IOA President. Speaking against the appointment, Maken told Economic Times, "If one cares about sports in the country, then one has to rise above the political lines and the people who are 'charge sheeted' in the court should not be made lifetime members of the IOA.”
#3 Kalmadi was “diagnosed with dementia”
During his time at the Tihar Jail in New Delhi, while serving his jail sentence, Suresh Kalmadi attempted to procrastinate the investigation against him by claiming that he had “dementia.”
According to an India Today report from 2011, jail authorities had said that Kalmadi suffered from many health related issues and not just dementia. Unfortunately for Kalmadi, the medical reports were not able to the support his claim.
Blatant lies, faking illness to avoid trial and trying to manipulate the jury are some of the things Kalmadi achieved with relative ease and no shame.
Consider both situations here – 1. Kalmadi suffering from dementia; 2. Him lying about his illness. If the first is true then Kalmadi should be sent to a medical facility instead of being appointed Lifetime President of IOA. On the other hand, if the second is true then he should be reprimanded and charged with perjury. Either way, he should not be an IOA executive.
#4 CWG is not the only sporting scam he was involved in
If you think that the Commonwealth Games is the only scam in which Suresh Kalmadi was involved in, you are wrong. Kalmadi, during his tenure with the IOA, was part of an agreement that brought Formula One racing to India.
However, an investigative report by the Indian Express showed that the company with which Formula One Administration Limited sealed a contract was JPSK Sports Private Limited. Interestingly, Kalmadi’s son, Sumeer, was the director of Sulba Realty Private Limited, which had more than 10 percent share in JPSK.
Upon being questioned regarding the matter by Indian Express, Kalmadi conveniently replied, "The IOA is not involved now since we could not arrange funds for the event. As for the involvement of my family members in the new company formed, I will explain everything on my return (he's on an overseas tour).”
This is a man who has a career in financial malpractices and abuse of power. Making him a Lifetime President of IOA would be absolutely shambolic.
#5 His appointment shows how lightly we take sports and corruption
For a moment, let’s consider the fact that Kalmadi’s position as Lifetime President of IOA has no authority. Even if it is just for namesake, giving such a high honorary post to a man like Kalmadi shows the kind of apathy sport suffers from in a country like India.
On one hand, we have athletes struggling for proper nutrition and equipment, while on the other, we have a man who has allegedly consumed so much individually that it could fund the careers of thousands of young sportspersons.
Another factor we need to consider is the pathetic attitude shown by administrators towards corruption of the highest order. For Kalmadi’s name to even come up for discussion is pathetic enough, let alone the fact that he has been appointed.
