Kalmadi should voluntarily skip London Games: Ajay Maken

Mumbai, July 13 (ANI): The Delhi Court's permission to the sacked Chairman of CWG Organising Committee Suresh Kalamdi to attend the London Olympics later this month has elicited sharp response from Sports Minister Ajay Maken, who has advised Kalmadi to voluntarily desist from going to the mega event.

Interacting with mediapersons here on Friday, Maken said, "I don't think he should go unless he is cleared of all charges. He himself should volunteer not to go."

Earlier in the day, 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)