April 5 - The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today told the country's Government that it did not want any more financial support because it wants to retain its independence.



Randhir Singh, the secretary general of the IOA, informed the Government that they believed it was more important that they did not risk their "autonomy".

He wrote: "The autonomy of National Olympic Committee of India and the Indian Olympic Association is supreme.

"The IOA would like to desist from receiving any further financial support from the government from the financial year 2010-11.

"We thank the Government for their financial support to the Indian teams."

The letter was sent to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports a day after it issued an order asking all national sports federations (NSFs) to immediately designate Central Public Information Officers and Appellate Authorities as required by the controversial Right to Information Act, which gives Indian citizens the right to demand to see information from any Government body.

The IOA was reportedly unhappy with the Ministry's interference in its day-to-day functioning.

The Government declared all NSFs receiving grant as a 'Public Authority' and under the RTI Act, 2005, after taking into consideration various issues, including the fact that the NSFs are doing a "State" function of preparation of national teams.

The Delhi High Court in January passed the order that IOA and the organising committee of this year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi come within the remit of the RTI Act.