Anil Khanna resigns as acting president of the IOA and criticises the IOC

Almost two weeks after the IOC refused to recognise any “acting/interim president,” senior sports executive Anil Khanna resigned on Wednesday from his position as the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) acting president.

On September 8, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) threatened suspension, stating that the IOA must hold elections by December of current year.

Following the termination of Narinder Batra’s leadership of the nation’s top sports organisation by a court decision, Khanna assumed control of the IOA.

Khanna, a senior vice president of the IOA, stated that he “respects” the IOC’s position but also queried who will ultimately be in charge of “deciding and interpreting the ‘Law of the Land’ and the Constitution of a NOC” (National Olympic Committee).

In a statement, Khanna stated, “I took on the responsibility of the duties and powers of the President for a brief period of time based on the Constitution of IOA, as unanimously agreed by the General House and backed by a similar past precedent in the vacancy of the post of President in 2011.”

He was alluding to the interim IOA president VK Malhotra appointed following the arrest of the outgoing leader Suresh Kalmadi on corruption charges associated with the 2010 Commonwealth Games.