Have elite Indian sportspersons flopped at running apex sports body in country?

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Nearly two years ago, when a galaxy of Indian sportspersons, with athletics great PT Usha at the helm, took charge of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), there was excitement in the air.

However, infighting between the IOA president (PT Usha) and members of the executive council now gives the impression that elite Indian sportspersons have struggled to run the affairs of the apex sports body in the country.

The main point of contention between PT Usha and the executive council members is the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer. Initially, his monthly compensation was set at Rs 30 lakh but it was later negotiated down to Rs 25 lakh per month. Despite more than eight months passing since Iyer's appointment was put on hold, he continues to come to the IOA office.

"Raghu Iyer's appointment has still not been approved by EC members due to the high monthly salary," said one of the executive council members. "We should hire someone for the CEO position for Rs 2-3 lakh, not Rs 25 lakh a month. The money raised through sponsorships should be used more effectively."

After the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, held from July 26 to August 11 in France, the conflict between PT Usha and executive council members, including Olympic bronze medalist in rifle shooting Gagan Narang, escalated to the point of allegations and counter-allegations.

"The executive council members who were part of the Indian contingent at the Paris Games were unhappy with the facilities provided to them," revealed another council member.

India's contingent at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games won six medals, including a silver in athletics by javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. India had won seven medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, including a historic individual gold in men's javelin throw by Neeraj Chopra.

The sports ministry had set a target of 12-13 medals, including two golds, at the Paris Olympics. Archery, badminton, wrestling, and track and field were considered the sports with the potential to secure gold medals.

"Instead of conducting a review meeting post-Olympics, the infighting has only escalated," said an official who was part of the Indian contingent in Paris. "Several members of the IOA were dissatisfied with the facilities provided during the Games and continued to express their frustration after the event."

PT Usha is no stranger to administration, having successfully run the Usha School of Athletics in Kerala. However, she is reportedly adamant on certain issues, particularly the appointment of the CEO, according to an IOA official. "Due to this one issue (the CEO appointment), everything has come to a standstill in the IOA, casting a negative light on everyone involved," said a member of the executive council.

It is understood that Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged PT Usha and the other members to reconcile their differences. However, the minister's appeal has gone unheard as the infighting continues.

In the latest episode, in response to the IOA president's allegations that executive council members were not cooperating in organizing a felicitation ceremony for the Paris Olympic medal winners, IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav dismissed PT Usha's claims, calling them a blatant lie.

The IOA meeting on September 26 ended inconclusively, further suggesting that an amicable settlement is unlikely. The main agenda of the EC meeting was the approval of Raghuram Iyer's appointment as CEO of the IOA, but the EC members refused to acknowledge the appointment.

Instead, the EC members circulated their own agenda and temporarily assigned the CEO's duties to IOA's joint secretary, Kalyan Chaubey, who is also the president of the All India Football Federation.

The transparency and accountability of the IOA have been called into question by many. The lack of good governance could certainly harm the Olympic movement in a country that is planning to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.