Narinder Batra’s call for CWG boycott will be discussed in IOA meeting, says Rajeev Mehta

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general Rajeev Mehta said on Friday that the Executive Committee and general body will discuss the call to permanently pull out of the Commonwealth Games made by its president Narinder Batra. Batra recently slammed the Commonwealth Games publicly saying that they are a waste of time and the country should consider a permanent pullout. He said that the CWG does not have any standard and that India should consider a pullout to improve its own standards. These statements had evoked mixed reactions from sportspersons and administrators.

“Everything will be discussed in the meeting of the executive committee and the AGM. I have seen a lot of reports in the press on [the issue]. Everything will be discussed,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of book ‘Tamil Nadu’s Quest for Gold’.

Mehta also informed at the event that the much-postponed National Games would be held in Goa in November next year. Asked to comment on Batra’s statement, former IOA chief and TNOA president N Ramachandran, who was also present, said that he is only there for the athletes and the athletes should take part in all the events.

“At the end of day, it is a matter to be decided by Indian Olympic Association and the government of India. They have their own AGM, they have their executive committee. They will take a call,” he explained.