IOA president Usha calls meeting to discuss CEO appointment delay

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has taken her fight for good governance to the general body. Usha has called for a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 25 to discuss amongst other issues the appointment of a CEO and various charges against fellow executive committee members.

Raghuram Iyer was chosen for the CEO’s role by the nomination committee headed by MC Mary Kom but the EC has not yet agreed to his appointment. The rift has ensured that Iyer has not been paid any money since his appointment was announced in January.

Usha has penned a 16-point agenda for the SGM. It includes IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav writing off the Rs 1.75 crore that the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) owes the Olympics body. Yadav has been part of the IOA Finance Committee since 2017.

Pointing out that the CEO’s role was vital and the continued resistance by the EC may derail India’s bid for the 2026 Olympics, Usha has made Iyer’s appointment issue top of the agenda items.

“Firstly, as per the IOA’s Constitution, the appointment of the CEO must be finalised within one month of the position becoming vacant. The entire process was undertaken in accordance with the provisions contained in the IOA’s Constitution and in a most transparent manner, with each and every step being documented and record of discussions confirmed by the three members of the Nomination Committee,” Usha wrote.

“However, despite the constitutional mandate and the recognition of this appointment by both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, certain members of the Executive Council (EC) have been refusing to accept the appointment. We are now approaching almost two years since the election, and this continued resistance poses a significant obstacle to the functioning of the IOA and the broader interests of the Indian sports community,” she added.

It is not only Yadav who is facing the heat. All India Tennis Association (AITA) caretaker treasurer and EC member Rohit Rajpal and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey are all in the dock.

“Secondly, regarding corruption, I am committed to address and eliminate all such activities that have previously tainted our sporting community,” she wrote.