Maken to Kalmadi : Refrain from Olympics in national interest

New Delhi, July 15 (ANI): Sports Minister Ajay Maken on Sunday said the sacked CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi must desist from showing up at the London Olympics for "national image and pride."

Interacting with mediapersons here, Maken said Kalmadi is not a part of country's official delegation, and must abstain from showing up in the mega event in national interest.

Reacting to Kalmadi's call seeking Maken's resignation, the Sports Minister said Kalmadi, chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and suspended by the Congress party on charges of graft "has no moral or local standii to question the kind of things he has raised. It is absurd for him to raise such things."

arlier, Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh granted Kalmadi, the permission to attend the London Olympics.

Kalmadi, who has been invited by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) to attend the event, had sought the court's permission in this regard on Thursday.

In his plea, Kalmadi, accused in a CWG-related graft case, had said he is a member of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Council and sought permission to go to the United Kingdom for the Games from July 26 to August 13.

"Applicant (Kalmadi), in his capacity, as a member of the IAAF Council and as president of Asian Athletics Association (AAA), is required to attend certain meetings, conferences and matters of the IAAF during the London 2012 Olympics from July 26 to August 13," Kalmadi said in his application. (ANI)