The Indian Olympic Association Vice-President Jagdish Tytler today lambasted the infighting that has marred the build-up to the December 5 IOA elections, saying that constant bickering has made the body a laughing stock for the entire country.

“...today the whole election process is sadly in a mess which is created by us. The persons who have been the driving force behind sports in the country have suddenly started accusing each other,” Tytler said in a statement.

“As a result the whole country is laughing at us because nobody can figure out who is fighting against whom and for what purpose? Introspection needs to be done,” he added.

Tytler, who has decided against competing in the elections, said the polls cannot be conducted under Government guidelines, which put a cap on the age and tenure of office-bearers.

“Some of us in the IOA, who are well versed with the Olympic Charter and IOA’s constitution, knew from the very beginning that this election cannot be fought on the Government’s guidelines, even then no effort was made by responsible persons to put things in order,” he said.

“It gives immense pain to me that knowledgeable people who are well versed with the IOA Constitution and Olympic Charter are suddenly becoming either victim of or part of unconstitutional rumours putting our relationship with IOC in question and in shame.

“When we should have enthusiastically prepared ourselves for the next elected body, we have started questioning what is right and what is wrong just at the deciding moment. There has been so much disgruntled apathy against each other that it looks like we have forgotten the people who have made us what we are today in the sports organisation,” Tytler added.

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