Sports minister Vijay Goel has a habit of jumping the gun when it comes to giving any statement. The latest case is where Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry into two doctors — Pawandeep Singh and RS Negi — who went to Rio Olympics along with Indian contingent last year without proper qualifications.
Goel has immediately decided to announce that from now on, ministry will employ a stringent policy going forward. Goel on Saturday clarified that Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will now check proper biodata and expertise of the contingents before making a final list for an event.
"I have also read in the newspaper that the CBI is investigating against two doctors who went to Rio Olympics, against whom there have been speculations that they were not qualified. I want to clarify two things. Whenever a contingent participates in Olympics then the proper approval is taken on how many number of people would come along," Goel said.
What Goel said makes a lot of sense but he probably is not inclined to how the IOA functions. For example, IOA has its own sponsors and they send their officials at no cost to the government and thus, no approvals were needed.
"Ministry can't say he won't go or she won't go. Till London 2012 Games, govt used to pay for all officials but now from Rio onwards it's the IOA which sends the Indian delegation and not the govt," a senior IOA official said.
In other words, it's just that the minister is making the statement but there is no guarantee that IOA would listen.
Earlier, the IOA joint secretary Anandeshwar Pandey said that everyone must cooperate and support the inquiry by the CBI, adding the doctors sent to Rio de Janeiro belong to reputed fields.
