New Delhi, June 19 (IANS): In a surprise turn of events Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Rajeev Mehta warned president N. Ramachandran that he would be solely responsible if a bid for hosting the 2019 Asian Games is not made in time before the deadline of July 1.
Mehta in a letter to Ramachandran claimed that 85 percent of the IOA members have given their consent to bid for the Games and will not let the IOA down by not bidding for the Games.
"I am happy to inform you that till now we have received 85% yes from member votes and 15% have not replied, but no one has said no, we will get yes from members by over 90% in next 2 or 3 days. It is surprising to note that your federation squash had not yet replied and traithlon again controlled by you has not replied," said Mehta in his email to Ramachandran.
"I now hope that you will submit the bid for the 2019 Asian Games by or before July 1, 2014, and will not let the IOA, its members and the sport loving people or your country, down by not submitting the bid. Kindly note that you would be held solely responsible in case the IOA does not submit the bid for the Asian Games," Mehta added.
The 2019 Asian Games were originally awarded to Vietnam, who earlier this year pulled out as the hosts, citing financial constraints.
Indonesia also offered to host the Games. In fact, in November 2012, the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi beat Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, in the race to host the Asian Games.