Asian Games 2018: Rajkumar Sacheti likely to be scrapped as an official

The Indian Olympic Association is likely to exclude official Rajkumar Sacheti as a deputy chef-de-mission for the upcoming Jakarta Asian Games owing to corruption issues. As per reports, the sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore will overlook the concerned person when he is going to prepare the final list of the names of the athletes, support staff and other officials to Indonesia. The ministry has reportedly received some complaints against Sacheti, and it was even questioned about how he was selected for the IOA. The Central Vigilance Commission claimed that the official was guilty of corrupt practices during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. A detailed report regarding the same has been sent to the ministry of sports affairs. Regarding the matter, a ministry official said,

“After thoroughly reviewing the reports and considering there are several complaints against him, the ministry is of the view that he shouldn’t be an official representing India. But we cannot take any decision right now as his, or any other official’s name is not mentioned in the list that has been submitted by the IOA.” The IOA has submitted a list of 830-member Indian contingent which includes the names of 213 supports staffs and officials. Interestingly, it does not include the name of IOA officials who are accompanying them including the chef de mission and deputy chef de mission.  “There are no names of the IOA officials who will be travelling to Indonesia, including the chef de mission. We are still awaiting that, as stated by a ministry official. Sacheti has been under the radar before, in 2010 during the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Back then he was alleged by the CBI for irregularities committed during his tenure as the joint director general of the 2010 CWG’s Organising Committee. His appointment as the ‘executive director’ of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) was questioned by many. Sacheti is also an associate joint secretary of the IOA. The 18^th edition of the Asian Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia from August 18 and will conclude on September 2.

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