It’s all about accountability, Mr Kalmadi !

The other day when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, Suresh Kalmadi, trashed the revised Sports Policy Draft after a meeting with the Sports Ministry officials, it seemed he was only exposing his Achilles’ heel in the process. Accountability has always been an issue with the IOA and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) that come under its purview. And when the Ministry talks about accountability, the IOA and the federations close ranks as if they are under grave threat of getting wiped out by a tsunami.

Talking after the conclave with the Sports Ministry officials a few days back, Kalmadi spoke about the reasons why training of athletes and organisation of camps should come directly under the IOA and not remain under the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the working arm of the Ministry. Now, with a host of scandals and complete lack of accountability, can the Ministry afford to hand over the huge sums and the reins of running sports in the country to the IOA?
Not that the Ministry --- and the SAI --- have covered themselves with glory as far as financial dealings or team selections go, but at least they are open to vigilance, CAG and CBI investigations.

A fund of 661 crores --- now upgraded to 710 crores --- for the training of athletes for the Commonwealth Games is no small amount! The IOA should first earn the confidence of the Ministry and then talk about other things. And accountability should be stepping stone to building that confidence.