The IOC in its recent executive body meeting had decided to lift the suspension it had imposed on IOA for not adhering to its norms.

The Indian Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Jitendra Singh here on Wednesday welcomed the IOC decision and said : 'this decision of IOC would enable the Indian sportspersons to participate in multi-disciplinary sports events such as Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games under the Indian National Flag. The pride and prestige associated with playing for the country under its National Flag motivates and lifts the performance of sportspersons.'

The Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry has been actively engaged with the IOC in the resolution of the matter of suspension of IOA from the time when IOC suspended IOA on December 4, 2013 citing IOA’s failure to comply with the Olympic Charter and its statutes, failure to inform the IOC in a timely manner, and as a protective measure against Government interference in the IOA’s election process.

Singh had led a Government delegation to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne in May 2013 in an effort to ensure that a road map was agreed to and conditions were created for ending the suspension of IOA at the earliest. IOA has, on its part, agreed to amend its constitution as per IOC’s requirements particularly on the issue of keeping charge-framed sportspersons out of IOA elections.

India has consistently supported the demand of the IOC that charge-framed persons be kept out of IOA. It has been urging IOA members during consultations from time to time to heed the advice of IOC and change its constitution in the interest of Indian sports and Indian sportspersons.

Singh expressed happiness that all these efforts have culminated in decision of IOC revoking suspension of IOA. He expressed the hope that free and fair elections would be held to IOA in February next year as scheduled.