NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Tuesday issued a diktat to the country's "eminent" athletes, telling them it is "necessary" for them to compete at the upcoming edition of the National Games, scheduled to be held in six cities of Gujarat from September 29 to October 12.
The development came nearly two weeks after TOI exclusively reported that the IOA wants the top athletes to show up at the Games which the union and state government have been looking to turn into a grand sporting spectacle ahead of the Gujarat assembly elections in December.
According to the letter issued by the IOA to the president and secretary general of the national sports federations (NSFs) and state Olympic associations (SOAs), the national Olympic committee has asked them to keep the selection of top athletes for the Games in mind while naming their respective contingents.
"As far as the athletes are concerned, participation in the National Games is most important for them. Wholehearted support and cooperation from the IOA, NSFs and SOAs plays a vital role in making the Games successful," IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta wrote in his letter.
"To ensure the esteemed significance of the National Games, participation of all eligible eminent athletes who have taken part/won medals in the International Games and Championships is necessary at the National Games too. The NSFs and S OAs are requested to keep this in mind when selecting the athletes for representing their sports and states," the letter added.
