CHENNAI: The International Olympic Committee is closely monitoring the Indian Olympic Association’s governance issues. The next in line is the election and this might have a bearing on India’s bid for the Olympics in 2036. The IOA has set in motion its election process calling first for an Executive Committee meeting on August 19 and then take it forward with seeking applications for athletes’ representative in Athletes Commission which is expected to begin in September.
It will not be restricted to dates and smooth conduct of the elections. The IOC is keeping a very close watch on the modification of the constitution that has to be brought in line with the National Sports Governance Act 2025. There are at least five critical points that might get a look in — from age and tenure to restriction of the executive board. The NSGA allows a maximum of 15 members in the executive committee and the IOA as of now has 14 plus one IOC member in India with voting rights.
The IOA is in the process of the modifying its constitution that had been approved before the last election in 2022 and the IOC had told the IOA that no further modification would be entertained when it tried when the executive committee members rose in revolt against IOA president PT Usha for appointing Raghuram Iyer as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The IOA has to conduct its election in time because of its governance issues that had been plaguing them since the election in 2022. With the 2036 Olympics bid in line, the continuous dialogue will enter strategic dialogue once the IOA adheres to their election deadline. Though the date has not been finalized, it is understood that the election will take place around December 10, when the new executive committee was elected.
The IOC, when contacted a couple of days ago, told this newspaper that they are in regular touch with the NOC of India. They are firm on adhering to the deadline. “All NOCs are required to hold their regular elections in a timely manner and in accordance with the Olympic Charter and their respective Statutes, as approved by the IOC,” said a spokesperson of the IOC.
It is understood that the IOA has already started work on its constitution and could be sending it to IOC for review and once approved will be implemented. The NSGA said international charters and statutes will prevail in case there is any issue. The IOC said any amendment to the constitution has to be reviewed by them.
“In addition, any amendment to an NOC Statutes is subject to prior review and approval by the IOC, in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the standard process applicable to all NOCs,” said the IOC.
The IOA constitution is set to incorporate age and tenure guidelines as stipulated in the NSGA.
The IOA constitution says that "No member shall hold one or more Office Bearer Post for more than 2 (two) consecutive terms. An office bearer shall have to undergo a cooling-off period after 2 (two) consecutive terms, subsequent to which he/she shall be eligible to hold office for another term." However, the NSGA says, "Provided further that a person may continuously hold the position of either the President or the Secretary General or the Treasurer, as the case may be, for up to three consecutive terms separately, or in combination thereof..." There is no cooling off period.
On the age front, the IOA constitution says "No member shall be eligible for any post of Office Bearer if he/she has attained the age of 70 (seventy) on the election date." Whereas the NSGA allows an office bearer to continue if he or she doesn't attain the age of 70 at the time of elections. "Any person, aged between seventy and seventy-five years, may contest elections or seek nominations, if permitted by the International Charters and Statutes..." says the NSGA.