The group, led by former hockey captain Pargat Singh, urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to intervene in what they claimed was a "serious threat to the very foundation of the values of sports".

In a letter to IOC President Jacques Rogge, they complained about Kalmadi, a ruling party politician who has been President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), since 1996 and is also head of the organising committee for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.

"During the last few decades, some people have been using sports as a vehicle to gain political power and satisfy their greed, keeping sportspersons as mere bystanders," the letter said.

"Indian sports has become a vehicle for Kalmadi's power and glory."

The IOA is already embroiled in a tussle with the Sports Ministry over limiting the tenures of officials in national sports federations.

The Ministry's guidelines that officials cannot remain in their posts for more than 12 years, or beyond the age of 70, have been vehemently opposed by Kalmadi.

The IOC held a meeting last week at its Lausanne headquarters in Switzerland with representatives of the Indian Olympic Association and the sports ministry to sort out the dispute.

An IOC statement claimed that the meeting was "fruitful".

"All parties agreed to work together with mutual respect and understanding in order to develop and implement the principles of good governance," the statement said.

The Sports Ministry declined to comment on whether the guidelines will be removed, saying the matter was sub-judice at the Delhi High Court.


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May 2010: We should be congratulated not sacked claims Kalmadi
May 2010: Olympic Council of Asia complain to Indian Government over Singh criticism