CHENNAI: In a dramatic and what seems like an audacious move, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, PT Usha, has called for a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 25.
The IOA has been in deep trouble ever since the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) had been 'appointed' in January after an Executive Committee (EC) meeting. The EC had objected to the appointment while the IOA president had maintained that the appointment was made adhering to the constitution and the objection of salary raised by the EC was taken care of.
Though the initial days of the feud seemed conducive for a settlement, as days passed by, the rift between the IOA president and the EC just widened with no other alternative left, but to settle their grievances in the general body. The IOA president's main objective is to address all the pending issues in the EC, including the appointment of the CEO.
With no other option left, and with the EC not relenting, this was the only option left. Some even pointed out that this could be the last roll of the dice for the president and also for some of the EC members. Taking it to the general body could open up a new front. Until now, the matter was between the 12 EC members and the IOA chief. Since she is outnumbered in the 15-member EC, the general body seems to be the logical answer. Otherwise the IOA is in a standstill, especially after the Olympics.
The points that the SGM letter listed included the appointment of the CEO. What seemed interesting is the tenor of the letter. Two points would be brought on the floor for voting.
The appointment of the CEO: "(a) The Selection of the CEO stands finalised by the Nomination Committee as per Article 15.3.1 of the Constitution of the IOA and the IOA Executive Council is duty bound to appoint the CEO pursuant to the completion of the selection process by the Nomination Committee… Or (b) The IOA Executive Council has the power to reject the selected CEO by the Selection Committee after the completion of the selection, advertising the position and nominating the selected CEO to the IOA EC for appointment as per Article 15.3.1 of the IOA Constitution."
The other point seemed to be a confrontation with the IOA treasurer, also president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation. "To discuss the issue of loans to the tune of IOA 1.75 crores given to the Indian Weightlifting Federation for paying the doping fines of the IWLF… (a) the same should be recovered from the IWLF along with interest as recommended by the previous Finance Committee in its minutes dated 18.4.2022 and the Controller Auditor General of India (CAG) in letter dated 17.9.2024… Or (b) The amount should be written off as per the decision of the new Finance Committee and the IWLF shall not be required to refund INR 1.75 crores as loan to the IOA." The said amount, according to the SGM letter, was to be recovered from the IWLF but was allegedly written off from the accounts.
The show cause issued to five EC members for alleged violation of sports code will also be discussed.
The feud between the IOA chief and EC was expected to take this turn. There is a complete breakdown of communication between some of the EC members and Usha. This has seriously affected India's bid for the 2036 Olympics. No formal bid committee has been formed, nor has any form of serious discussion taken place between the IOA and the International Olympic Committee Future Hosts Commission since February-March this year.
The pettiness of the infighting is highlighted by the suspension of the email IDs due to non-payment of dues (as reported by this newspaper). If sources are to be believed, even vendors delivering items like newspapers and water have not been paid. The CEO, whose appointment has been challenged by the EC, is working without payment since January. His Rs 20 lakh a month salary was what the EC wanted to be reversed.
The voting will be according to the article 10.1 of the IOA constitution. According to the electoral college made during the IOA elections in 2022, there are about 33 national sports federations (Summer and Winter Games). As per rule, two representatives (one male and one female) from NSFs, whose sports are included in the programme of the Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games, can vote; one IOC member (Nita Ambani). Eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs) and two representatives of the Athletes Commission are the others. There were 77 who were eligible to contest election and cast vote in 2022. This time, depending on court cases and de-recognition, the number of NSFs might come down. Some NSFs' elections are subjudiced in courts (like volleyball, kabaddi, judo {run by administrator}, etc).
It will be interesting to see how the SGM turns out to be. The letter has also invited State Olympic Associations who do not have voting rights. It will be interesting to see what the EC members' next move will be. There are three weeks left for the SGM and things can change anytime. One way or the other, the SGM will decide Usha's fate on October 25.