The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is embroiled in a bitter internal conflict that is having a detrimental impact on athletes. Winter Olympian Arif Khan’s training for the 2026 Winter Olympics has been severely disrupted due to the IOA finance committee’s refusal to release scholarship funds provided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Under the Olympic Solidarity funding program, the IOC approved a $6,000 scholarship for Khan’s preparation for the Milano Cortina Games and transferred the funds to IOA on May 8. However, the finance committee, headed by Sr. Vice President Ajay Patel, has inexplicably withheld the funds.
IOA President PT Usha has expressed her frustration in a letter to IOC officials, requesting that the amount be transferred directly to Khan’s account. She has also questioned the finance committee’s decision to challenge Khan’s selection for the scholarship program.
The conflict within the IOA has escalated since the appointment of CEO Raghu Iyer in January. The majority of executive committee members and Usha have been at odds, leading to a breakdown in governance and financial management.
Khan has repeatedly appealed to IOA officials to release the funds, but his requests have been ignored. “The delay in the release of these funds is severely impacting my training schedule and preparation for the Winter Olympics,” he wrote to Usha.
The IOC has been monitoring the situation and has expressed concern over the internal conflict within the IOA. “We are aware that these funds have not been transferred to you by your NOC and we have been following up with them on a regular basis,” said Edward Kensington, Olympic Solidarity Continental Manager, Asia.
The IOC has initiated the process for the IOA to request a direct transfer of funds to Khan. However, the ongoing conflict within the IOA threatens to further delay the release of the scholarship.
