IOA vows support to all London bound sportspersons

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has assured every possible assistance to all the sportspersons, who will represent the country in the forthcoming London Olympics.

"All the Federations whose sportspersons will qualify for the London Olympic Games will get unstinted support and every help from the IOA," said the acting president of the IOA,

Vijay Kumar Malhotra said on Thursday.

Addressing the meeting of the IOA's Monitoring Committee for the preparations of the London Games, Malhotra said, "We will go the extra mile to help the sportspersons to help them bring glory to the country."

He also claimed that IOA has already decided to disburse all the money, which it will get from the sponsors, to the qualified athletes, besides "IOA will provide them extra incentive for coaching and training".

"We will leave no stone unturned to fulfill the requirements of the sportspersons but I hope they will also reciprocate these efforts by putting up their best performance in the Games. Let there be no excuses.

"IOA is looking into the requests that sportspersons be provided Indian food during the Games. We will consult our High Commission in London in this regard," said Malhotra.

The acting president also urged the participating Federations to keep the Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI) informed about their requirements on a daily basis.

"Let us be united in the aim to raise the standard of sports in the country," he said.

Malhotra urged the sportspersons to remain focused on their preparations.

"We have pledged them all help so that they can concentrate on their goal and that is to make country proud in the Olympics."

Meanwhile, IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh urged the participating Federations to keep the IOA informed about the status and state of preparedness of their qualified sportspersons.

"IOA should be kept in loop and Federations should try to avoid last minute hassles," said Randhir Singh.

Reacting to National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) plea for accommodating more coaches and trainers in the Olympic Games Village, Randhir Singh said, "The accommodation in the village is provided by the organisers on a particular quota system, which is uniform and applicable to all and no exemptions or exceptions are made for a particular squad."

Convener of the committee K P Singh Deo said the need of the hour is to get the imported equipment available the sportspersons as soon as possible.

"Many a times delay in getting the equipment cost us medals," said K P Singh Deo.

Stating that even the Sports Ministry and its officials have assured that there would not be any delay in getting these equipments clear, K P Singh Deo said, "This time we are hopeful of avoiding any last minute confusion."