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| Photo: Reproduction/Instagram |
PT Usha, the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association, will face a no-confidence vote on October 25 amid allegations of constitutional violations and financial mismanagement. With 12 of the 15 council members opposed, the conflict prompted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to intervene, cutting significant funding and jeopardizing India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics.
Less than two years after her historic appointment as the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), renowned athlete PT Usha is facing a no-confidence vote at a special general meeting (SGM) on October 25. . According to the agenda of the Executive Council, the resolution focuses on “alleged constitutional violations and actions potentially detrimental to Indian sport”.
Tension has been rising between Usha and the IOA executive board for months. Usha, who has issued show cause notices to several board members for allegedly violating eligibility norms, has been accused by her critics of “arbitrariness” in her leadership. Additionally, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has raised questions over the contract approved by Usha with Reliance for the hospitality lounge at the Paris Olympics. The CAG alleges that “undue benefits” were given to Reliance, resulting in a financial loss of €2.8 million to the IOA. Usha has completely rejected these allegations, calling them ‘baseless’.
In a significant development, 12 out of 15 members of the IOA Executive Council have united against Usha and included a no-confidence motion against her in the 26-point agenda of the next meeting. On October 3, Usha released its agenda for the SGM, which included 16 items. However, his opponents released their agenda on 10 October, with the no-confidence motion as the main issue.
A major point of contention is Usha’s clash with All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Choubey. Usha accused Choubey of issuing an “unauthorized agenda” for the SGM and “impersonating” the acting CEO of the IOA. In an official statement, Usha said, ‘This action is illegal and a violation of the IOA constitution. The current and sole CEO of IOA is Mr. Raghuram Iyer, who officially joined IOA on January 15, 2024. Despite Usha’s claims, Choubey, supported by 12 members of the Executive Council, issued a circular on October 10 listing the no-confidence motion along with other issues. In response, Usha insisted that ‘Choubey does not assume the role of interim CEO’ and that his actions were unauthorized.
The internal conflict attracted the attention of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has now intervened in the matter. In a letter sent by James MacLeod, Director of NOC Relations and Olympic Solidarity, the IOC expressed its concerns about the governance issues plaguing the IOA. “It is clear that there are ongoing internal disputes and governance issues within the IOA, including a number of mutual allegations made within the Executive Board,” the letter said. As a result, the IOC announced that it would stop Olympic solidarity donations. Citing “clarification needed” until the situation is resolved.
The financial implications of the IOC’s decision are significant, as the IOA has received €1 million annually for the past four years for athlete development programs. The IOC’s decision to suspend these funds deepened internal disputes within the IOA. In an official statement, Usha placed the blame on IOA Treasurer Sahdev Yadav and accused him of failing to submit required financial reports. “This negligence will result in the loss of critical Olympic solidarity grants, which will be a major blow to our efforts to support Indian athletes,” the Usha statement said. The IOA reiterated that these grants are meant for “athlete development and Initiatives are an important source of funding for sports
As the SGM date approaches, the stakes for Usha’s leadership are higher than ever. A successful no-confidence motion could not only remove him from his post but also further destabilize the IOA, jeopardizing India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics. USHA expressed its concern about the wider implications of this conflict, warning that “the internal strife continues.” The IOA could seriously damage India’s Olympic ambitions.
Usha accused several prominent people, including Kalyan Choubey and Treasurer Sahdev Yadav, of deliberately weakening her leadership. Usha said, “It is sad that many key officials in the IOA are working against the country’s Olympic aspirations. This is not just about my presidency, it is about the future of Indian sports on the world stage.
Despite Usha’s repeated attempts to resolve the disputes, including calls for unity, the conflict continues to deepen. The IOC’s letter reflects the seriousness of the situation, stating that “numerous attempts to find constructive solutions have so far been unsuccessful.” If successful, the no-confidence motion could end Usha’s presidency and further complicate India’s prospects for bidding for the 2036 Olympics. As evidenced by the IOC’s intervention, infighting within the IOA has reached a critical stage. The future of Indian sports is gone.
