Throwing its weight behind the sports administrators, the Olympic Council of Asia today warned the sports ministry against interfering in the autonomy of the federations and criticised it for launching a "personal attack" on IOA secretary general Randhir Singh.

In a letter addressed to sports minister MS Gill, OCA director general Husain Al-Musallam lashed out at the ministry for its "personal attack" on Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Randhir Singh, who also happens to be the OCA Secretary.

"...any form of interference in the autonomy or independence functioning of the NOC (National Olympic Committee) or National Sports Federations (NSFs) will not be accepted by the OCA and may result in strict penalties as per the OCA constitution," Al-Musallam wrote.

Sports ministry's guidelines seeking to limit the tenure of the sports administrators in the country has snowballed into a major controversy. The administrators maintain NSFs are governed only by the Olympic Charter and government cannot infringe on their autonomy.

International Olympic Council and OCA are supporting the NSF chiefs and the sports mnistry is now seeking a meeting with IOC president Jacques Rogge to sort out the issue.

IOA, on its part, has authorised Randhir to deal with the matter in the IOC but the Ministry sees a conflict of interest in Randhir being the secretary of both OCA and IOA, apart from being an IOC member from India.

Al-Musallam sprang in Randhir's defence and said he was dismayed by the attack on him.

"I"m extremely dismayed...his (Randhir Singh's) knowledge, wisdom and commitment to the Olympic Movement have been exemplary. He has always strove to maintain a fine balance between various arms of the Olympic Movement and has acted as bridge between the NOCs of Asia, OCA and international sporting organisations.