NSC makes another U-turn

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The National Sports Council (NSC) made another U-turn today recognising the Rukma Shumsher Rana-led Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) as the legitimate one and decided to hold fresh elections to end the dual existence of NOC.

NSC Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama said it will work on implementing the Supreme Court verdict of reinstating Rana-led NOC to end the dispute of parallel NOCs. After Supreme Court recognised Rana-led NOC as the legal one despite the existence of Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan-led faction four years ago, the dispute has hit Nepali sports hard.

Tuesday’s statement from Member Secretary Lama was a complete U-turn from what the NSC had earlier decided regarding the legitimacy of the NOC. Lama had openly voiced his support to the Pradhan-led committee in November. He had also said he would produce the required documents in front of Supreme Court if the apex body inquires about his stance.

After being appointed at the helm of NSC, Lama had urged both the NOCs to find out a way out by themselves and end the dispute. But that was not to happen and Lama tilted towards Pradhan after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) sent the letter voicing their support to only Pradhan-led NOC.

The relation suddenly turned cold after the Pradhan-led committee did not comply with Lama’s instructions. Lama then not only rejected the NOC’s offer of taking the London Olympic Games chef-de-mission responsibility, but also decided to recommend the Cabinet to dissolve both the NOCs. The cabinet, however, is yet to discuss the matter.

“We have no other options than to hold fresh elections to end the dispute. All the national sports associations will be involved in the election process,” said Lama, holding aloft the letter from the Judgment Execution Directorate (JED) of the Supreme Court.

The letter has clearly instructed the NSC to implement the apex court verdict and submit the progress report.

Lama said the NSC would coordinate with international bodies before holding the elections. “We will send this letter to IOC and OCA as it adequately justifies that Rana-led NOC is the valid one in Nepal,” said Lama. “I am in no mood to go to jail by violating the court orders.”

Nepal could be in danger of facing sanction if NSC forcefully holds election but Lama said the NSC was taking a risk. “I know we will be at risk of being suspended and we are ready for that.We have to begin the process to implement the court order and give a way out to this dispute,” Lama said.