Former Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief Suresh Kalmadi and former Indian Amateur Boxing Federation’s (IABF) president Abhay Singh Chautala were elected as honorary life presidents of IOA, India’s parent body for sports, on Tuesday. This story came out last night but gained TV media’s attention only later in the day today – that hasn’t stopped CNN and Times Now from claiming impact for Kalmadi stating that he won’t be accepting the position after all.

Last night, the good folks at IOA explained their decision thus:

Kalmadi served as IOA president from 1996 to 2011, while Chautala served as the president from December 2012 to February 2014.

Tarlochan Singh, vice-president, IOA said, “All past presidents have been made Life Presidents or patrons.” But the association’s website lists Vijay Kumar Malhotra as the only former president who was made life president in the association’s 89-year-old history.  

Kalmadi, who is a former Lok Sabha MP, is still being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a corruption case in the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG). He was accused of handing out conflated contracts during the games and was sentenced to a 10-month imprisonment from April 2011 to January 2012.

Like Kalmadi, Chautala has been facing criminal charges since 2011. The CBI had filed a charge sheet against him for accumulating Rs 1,467 crore in disproportionate assets while serving as a Member of Legislative Assembly in Haryana’s Dabwali constituency.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel told ANI that he was “shocked at resolution passed by IOA that made Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Chautala Life Presidents.” He said, “IOA did not keep us [Sports Ministry] in loop.”

Goel also added that since both the appointees are facing serious corruption charges, he has sought a detailed report and will take appropriate action in the matter after a complete review.

The appointments were also criticised by Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and former Sports Minister Ajay Maken. While Naidu called the decision “disgraceful”, Maken termed it as “totally unacceptable” and claimed that the decision was taken under “pressure” since all members are related to politics.

Responding to Goel’s comments, Chautala said the cases against him are “political not criminal.”

Chautala also said Goel should work towards promoting sports rather than sparking controversies around it.

He is yet to take a decision about accepting the “honour” and said, “I will take legal action against the Sports Minister.”