Dimapur, April 25 (EMN): The North East State Olympic members, while congratulating the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for organising a grand programme in honour of Thomas Bach, president of International Olympic Committee (IOC) during his maiden visit to the country, has resented for not officially acknowledging the presence of Nagaland chief minister and president of Nagaland Olympic Association during the event.
In a letter to the president of Indian Olympic Association, Narinder Dhruv Batra, jointly appended by secretary general of Nagaland Olympic Association Meren Paul, secretary general of Manipur Olympic Association Sunil Elangbam, general secretary of Sikkim Olympic Association Jaslal Pradhan (Arjuna Awardee), secretary general of Arunachal Olympic Association AK Techi, working president of Meghalaya Olympic Association John F Kharshiing, president of Sikkim Olympic Association BK Ruka, secretary general of Mizoram Olympic Association C Laltlanthanga, chairman of Sports Authority of Arunachal BamangTago, and secretary of Tripura Olympic Association Dr. Rupak Deb Roy, stated that the chief minister of a state of the Indian union cannot be ignored and demanded recognition, reception and treatment as per laid down protocol rules, which were flawed and ignored by the IOA.
It added that such unwelcoming behaviour meted out to the constitutionally elected head of a state on part of the IOA was not only demeaning and discrimination towards the NE region and its leader, but also an insult to the Indian democracy before a personality of international stature like Thomas Bach.
It further stated that sports lovers and lead promoters of Olympic Games of the NE-region in particular have been discouraged and hurt by the conduct of the apex Olympic body of the country. He wished that such unconstitutional attitude towards a chief minister would not be repeated in future by IOA.
