International Federations need to get a written undertaking from the Indian authorities for equal participation before allotting India any world event in future involving Kosovo. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
International Federations need to get a written undertaking from the Indian authorities for equal participation before allotting India any world event in future involving Kosovo. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) 
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India Faces IOC’s Heat: ‘No More Sporting Events To India That Involve Kosovo’; Direction Issued Post VISA Botch

BySwarajya Staff

International Olympic Committee (IOC) has informed all of its member federations not to allow any international world events to India which involve the participation of Kosovo athletes, Livemint has reported.

The order comes from the Olympic governing body after India failed to provide Visa to Kosovo boxer Donjeta Sadiku and her two coaches, during the ongoing AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships held in Delhi.

Earlier, it was reported that India would lose hopes to bid for other top international events if India had failed to grant the visa for the 19-year old boxer. Indian sport will now face the backlash, since the IOC, on Monday informed its decision and stood against political discrimination through letters it sent to President and Secretary-General of International Federations (IF).

“The IOC has been working together with the International Federations, and the umbrella organisations concerned, for many years to protect the fundamental principles which govern the Olympic Movement and make sure that, when a national sports organisation/country decides to bid for an international sports event, it equally abides by the rules of the Olympic Movement,” IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miro said. He adds national sports bodies need to guarantee the participation of athletes, without any political interference.

Indian Authorities will have to provide written undertaking, that they will allow equal participation of Kosovo before getting allocated to hold any world event involving Kosovo. The decision from IOC now casts doubt over India hosting future events like the 2021 Men’s Boxing World Championships.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President, Narinder Batra, in a letter to the Boxing Federation of India chief Ajay Singh, has requested him to address the issue as soon as possible.