Saturday, April 3, 2010

Mr Alberto Colaco, RTI is on its way



Early January this year, the Delhi Hight Court had asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Commonwealth Games Organising Commitee (OC) to shed opacity and set up an office to disseminate information and depute a public information officer (PIO). Closely on its heels, the Sports Ministry also brought all the sports federation under the ambit of Right To Information (RTI).

All of us know that none of these sports bodies are clean. Not even our own All India Football Federation (AIFF). Let's take the recent recruitment done by its secretary Alberto Colaco, who now seems the be-all and end-all of Indian football. He recruited Dempo coach Armando Colaco's daughter in the AIFF as co-ordinator, national team. We are not sure what's her qualifications. Besides, whether the post had been advertised on AIFF website. Alberto kept all of us in the dark.
But I guess, we all have the right to know the exact experiences, the job-profile of the candidates who are being recruited for AIFF posts. Aren't we talking about clarity in the system? But who's going to stop the powerful-hungry AIFF secretary? I think, a RTI affidavit can question his recruitment policies.

Under the ambit of the transparency Act, I’m sure, is expected to open the floodgates of pointed RTI queries directed against these sports bodies, seeking information about their management, grants and administration. The judgment will have an impact in injecting an element of accountability not just in IOA and OC, but in all the sports federations.

In the recent financial committee meeting of AIFF, Colaco had proposed two names -- BMR Mehta and Anil Kamat -- as the new joint secretaries of AIFF. Well, let's come to the basics. What are the qualifications of these two gentlemen? While Mehta was handling media as director (he had joined federation 5 years back without having football background), Anil has been Colaco's trusted colonel from Goa. He is director tournaments. But most importantly, he is Colaco's 'mole' in the enemy camp. So he deserves to get the reward for helping Colaco become the strongest and powerful among all the AIFF secretaries till date.

But now, I'm sure, he will have to reply to RTI queries which will be coming from all quarters. Be prepared Mr Colaco, this time, you may not heave a sigh of relief.

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