Kathmandu, March 9:

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday warned Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) to prepare itself for severe consequences if the latter do not hold its general assembly in the given time. The IOC has strictly directed the NOC to hold their elective general assemby on March 13.

NOC was also directed to adopt the revised constitution as approved by the IOC, Olympic Committe of Asia (OCA) and the National Sports Council before the assembly.

The IOC letter to the NOC said that if they fail to comply with the agreements, they would expose to “the measures and sanctions provided in the Olympic Charter, including NOC’s suspension; freezing of any IOC/OCA funds; and non-participation in the upcoming OCA general assembly.”

However, the complication arised when National Republic Sports Organisation, Nepal (NRSON) warned the NOC to postpone their general assembly unitil the elections of the national associations.

“We have no option but to go for the general assembly,” said NOC general secretary Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan today. “We sought for the postponement following the NRSON request but we were outrightly rejected by the international body,” said Pradhan adding that the IOC and NOC lost faith after three-year long NOC-NSC dispute.

“I hope the NRSON would understand the situation and allow us to hold the general assembly. If we don’t comply with the IOC/OCA directives we could face suspension.”

Pradhan also revealed that NOC executive would be downsized to 11 members from 23. “The new IOC Charter has clearly stated the numbers of the body,” he added.

In all, 24 sports associations — one representative each from the 21 associations, recognised by their respective international federations, that fall under the Olympic sports and three Non-Olympic sports (Kabbadi, Wushu and Karate) — will have the voting rights. The 21 associations include Archery, Athletcis, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Football, Handball, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Swimming, Shooting, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Wrestling.