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 EC meeting on August 19 can see the adoption of a updated new constitution with some six or seven changes -- some major while a few minor ones. The Special General Meeting (SGM) is expected to be called on September 4 or 5 around the time the send-off ceremony could be arranged. The SGM will be attended by the EC members and the entire house affiliated with the IOA. The Returning Officer too could be appointed on August 19.
IOC in touch with IOA
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.
New clauses in constitutions
The IOA constitution is set to incorporate a few changes including age and tenure guidelines as stipulated in the NSGA. 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.
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. It needs to be seen if the IOA brings in change in this.
The number of SOMs is expected to remain the same with applications sought in early September. Because of the NSGA, the number of EC members could be reduced by one to 15 that would include IOC member in India (Nita Ambani). Withe quite a few National Sports Federations suspended, there seemed to be around 27-28 affiliated units that are part of the Olympic, Asian or Commonwealth Games movement as of now. This might even go down as election approaches. No disputed NSF will be part of the election process and some of the seasoned sports administrators may not be eligible to contest elections due to new laws and bye-laws in the proposed constitution.
Though the IOA is silent on this, the NSGA also says that to contest for election or seek nomination to, the posts of the president or the secretary general or the treasurer, such person has to be "a sportsperson of outstanding merit or, has previously served as a member for at least one full term in the Executive Committee of the National Sports Body (IOA in this case) or as the President, or the Secretary General or the Treasurer in its affiliate unit. This will have bearing on the nominations for the top posts.
