No move to lift ban on IOA: IOC

Not completely happy with the Indian Olympic Association leaving room for interpretations in its recent constitutional amendments, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday indicated that it may not proceed to lift the ban on the country until IOA ensures clarity regarding barring of charge-framed persons from contesting elections.

The IOA amended its constitution on December 8 by barring charge-framed persons like Abhey Singh Chautala and Lalit Bhanot from elections set for February 9, but the sticking point has been the provision to refer the matter to its internal Ethics Commission.

The IOC had on Friday issued guidelines to avoid “unnecessary speculation or doubtful interpretation”, making it clear that charge-framed persons will have to resign automatically or else be suspended provisionally.

The world body had also made a veiled threat that it reserves the right to impose necessary sanctions if the IOA does not ratify the interpretations suggested by the IOC.

In another letter on Saturday, the IOC made it clear that it will not lift India’s suspension until the IOA ensures absolute clarity in the charge-framed clause by ratifying the interpretations suggested by the world body.

“Upon receipt of confirmation of the IOC’s interpretation and of the minutes of the next General Meeting, which will ratify the above interpretation of these clauses, the IOC will be in a position to confirm its formal approval of this Constitution,” the IOC said in a letter written by its NOC Relations Director Pere Miro to IOA officials.

The IOC’s latest communication could mean that the IOA will have to ratify the world body’s interpretations of the charge-framed clause before the proposed February 9 elections if India’s suspension has to be lifted.

The IOA may now have to ratify the interpretations of the IOC before the elections if it wants India’s ban to be lifted.

More: http://www.thehindu.com/sport/no-move-to-lift-ban-on-ioa-ioc/article5459660.ece?homepage=true

Mary Kom urges women to learn art of protecting themselves to combat attackers

2012 Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom kisses her son in Mumbai on Monday. - Salman Ansari/DNA

In view of the increase in number of rapes being reported in the country, Mary Kom urged women to learn some sort of self-defence to combat attackers.

In the city on Monday to receive an award, the boxer said, “Rapes can be minimised if women learn a thing or two about selfdefence.”

She recalled an incident from her younger days when she fought a rickshaw driver who was passing lewd comments at her.

“I will never forget the incident which happened when I was just learning my trade. I was going alone for mass in a rickshaw, clad in traditional Manipuri attire. On the way, when we reached a relatively lonely road, I realised that the driver was giving me dirty looks and was passing lewd comments. I got down from the rickshaw and punched him in the face, hitting him so badly that he couldn’t even get up.

“Had I not learnt a little bit of boxing then, there might not have been any Mary Kom representing India in the Olympics. God only knows what would’ve happened to me,” she added.

Recovering from a gall bladder operation, Mary, who idolises boxing legend Mohammed Ali for his will power, said she has begun light training for next year’s Commonwealth games in Glasgow.

“My utmost priority now is to qualify for the Commonwealth games, although a medal at Rio is very tempting,” she said.

The five-time world champion is currently dedicating her time to a boxing academy she has opened in Manipur in 2007.

“I started the academy because people came up to me and asked me to teach them the sport, and I couldn’t say no, because I want better boxers to emerge and make this country proud,” she said.

Though the state government has given her land, she is still looking for funds to have a state-of-the-art training facility.

“I want people to support my academy, but I’m not going to go and ask for funds. That should come spontaneously from people,” she added.

Speaking of popularising the sport, Mary Kom says she is excited about a movie being made on her life, starring Bollywood starlet Priyanka Chopra.

“Just like Chak De! India inspired people to take up hockey, I hope people will be inspired to take up boxing by watching the struggles I had to face. Though the movie is bound to have a little masala, like the after-parties, most of it is genuine and the producers are taking a lot of trouble to get everything perfect. Priyanka even came to my small house in Manipur to learn what it’s like to grow up there,” she said.

Asked if it makes sense to have a Punjabi girl playing the role of a boxer from Manipur, Mary Kom said Priyanka was the indeed the right person for the role.

“A superstar is playing my role, it couldn’t get bigger for me. What more can I ask for? I’m sure she will fit the skin of my character and be able to inspire people,” she added.

Credits: dnaindia