The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is embroiled in a deepening crisis as President PT Usha and members of the executive committee (EC) engage in a bitter exchange of accusations.
Usha had issued notices to five EC members on September 10, alleging that they held positions in violation of the IOA constitution and Sports Code. Vice-president and EC member Rajlaxmi Singh Deo has retaliated, questioning Usha’s own election as IOA president.
Deo claims that Usha’s “Proposer” and “Seconder” for her nomination were not approved by the IOA General Body, rendering her election “illegal.” She cites the IOA Constitution, which outlines the process for nominating and electing Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) to the EC.
Deo has invited Usha to respond to her allegations, which she has shared with the Sports Minister and the International Olympic Committee. Usha was elected IOA president in December 2022, becoming one of eight SOMs selected by the Athletes Commission.
The crisis within the IOA stems from the appointment of CEO Raghu Ram Iyer in January. Usha and the majority of the EC oppose the appointment, leading to a power struggle that has escalated after the Paris Olympics.
Besides Deo, EC members Ajay Patel, Sahdev Yadav, Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, and Alaknanda Ashok have been accused of violating the Sports Code. Deo has criticized Usha for acting on an “anonymous” letter and failing to investigate the complainant’s veracity.
She has accused Usha of malicious intent, aiming to silence EC members who have raised concerns about her alleged violations of the IOA constitution. The ongoing turmoil has severely impacted the functioning of the IOA, casting a shadow over its preparations for future sporting events.
