Oct. 31 deadline for IOA

IOC said the key provision of barring individuals,against whom charges have been framed in court,was ignored by the Indian body.

Hardening its stand against the IOA,the International Olympic Committee has asked the Indian body to sack charge-framed officials through constitutional amendments by October 31 and conduct fresh elections by December 15 to return to the Olympic fold. Giving its conclusions and decisions on the IOAs Executive General Meeting held here last month,the IOC said the key provision of barring individuals,against whom charges have been framed in court,was ignored by the Indian body. The IOC is well aware of the difference in the Indian legal system between charge-sheeted persons and charge-framed persons and has never requested that the clause initially proposed applies for charge-sheeted persons. Therefore it is reiterated that the initial wording is aimed to apply for anyone charge-framed by a court in India, the IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper said in a letter to the IOA. 8230;the IOC does fully respect the principle that until proven guilty,one is innocent. However,what is at stake is the reputation of the Olympic movement which must not be tarnished, it added.

Chautala hits out at Bindra

Furious with shooter Abhinav Bindras sustained campaign against tainted officials in the Indian Olympic Association,the suspended bodys President Abhey Singh today launched a personal attack on the former Olympic gold-medallist. Taking a jibe at the former world champions father,AS Bindra,who was arrested in 2009 for alleged financial irregularities,Chautala said,If Bindra feels that chargesheeted people should be stripped of their positions then he should throw his father out of his house or leave his house himself.

Powell,Simpsons B positive

Backup doping tests have come back positive for former 100m world record-holder Asafa Powell,teammate Sherone Simpson and three other island athletes. The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission said the athletes8217; second samples were tested at a Montreal lab accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It says all five athletes have been notified and the findings will be passed on to the Jamaican Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel so hearings can be scheduled. Paul Doyle,the agent for Powell and Simpson,did not immediately respond to a Friday email seeking comment.

Ritu Rani to lead hockey team

Veteran midfielder Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member Indian womens hockey team in the eighth Asia Cup to be played in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia from September 21 to 27. Six stand-bys were selected during the trials conducted in Patiala. Ritu has 157 India appearances to her credit. The 18-member squad will have another mid-fielder Chanchan Devi Thokchom 88 caps as the vice-captain. The team will depart for Malaysia on September 16. India will open their campaign against Hong Kong China on September 21 followed by China on September 22 and hosts Malaysia on September 24.

Arun Kumar back up for Sushil

Arun Kumar has been named stand-by for Sushil Kumar in the 22-member Indian team announced for the upcoming World Wrestling Championships to be held at Budapest,Hungary. One wrestler each has been named in the seven weight categories in three divisions Greco Roman,Freestyle and Female wrestling for the marquee event to be held from September 16-22,except in the 66kg freestyle category in which Sushil participates. Sushil Yogeshwar Dutt are expected to fly out later than the rest of the contingent. A shoulder injury has kept Sushil out of action for over an year.