KATHMANDU, Aug 7: National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama has hinted that it is ready to face suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but committed to execute the Supreme Court verdict on the dispute over the legitimacy of two Olympic committees.
"We risk suspension from IOC if we implement the SC verdict and the current NSC leadership is not ready to take any action that would amount to contempt of court," said Lama after a meeting with the Rukma Shamsher Rana-led NOC which was reinstated by the SC.
Lama met Rana following a directive from the Verdict Execution Directorate of the Supreme Court last week to implement the SC verdict of October 4, 2010 and inform the court about the progress of implementation.
(Photo: Bikash Karki)
Two different NOCs -- one led by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan and other by Rana -- have been claiming legitimacy.
In November 2011, Member Secretary Lama had taken a decision to support the Pradhan-led NOC after he received a letter from IOC. IOC has recognized the NOC led by Pradhan.
"After IOC and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) made their stance clear, we had supported the Pradhan-led NOC not to affect Nepal´s participation in the London Olympics. However, we can´t continue our support to the committee following the SC directive," said Lama. "We are ready to cooperate with IOC in future too but we can´t disobey the law of the land," he added.
Stating that national sports associations can´t go against the SC verdict, he said, "There is no other option other than holding a new election of NOC ensuring participation of all national associations."
Rana-led NOC´s Treasurer Purushottam Lal Shrestha said that Member Secretary Lama has assured them of implementing the SC verdict. Asked about the possibility of holding a new election, Shrestha said their committee has called a general assembly of NOC for Saturday.
However, NOC President Rana refused to comment on his meeting with Lama. "It was a good meeting. The member secretary will explain more," said Rana.
Earlier, NSC board meeting chaired by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on July 8 had decided to suspend both the NOCs stating that the committees had drawn controversy and brought national shame.
Most of the officials of the Pradhan-led committee are in London to participate in the London Olympics.
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