PT Usha Denounces IOA Executive Council Members for Sabotaging Indian Sports Progress

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The internal conflict within the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has escalated, leading to a sharp exchange of accusations between IOA President PT Usha and several members of the association's Executive Council (EC).

A day after 12 EC members penned a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) accusing Usha of autocratic leadership, the IOA chief hit back with a scathing letter of her own.

Usha expressed her disappointment in a letter, criticizing the members for their indifference to the aspirations of Indian athletes and accusing them of focusing more on power and personal gain than the country's sporting future. She emphasised that in her 45-year career as an athlete and administrator, she had never seen individuals so disconnected from the goals of Indian sports.

"Instead of supporting Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji's visionary goal of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in India, these individuals seem more focused on self-serving power play," Usha wrote.

A key point of contention between Usha and the EC members is the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as the CEO of IOA, with a salary package of Rs 25 lakh per month, which the EC members deemed excessive. Usha defended Iyer's appointment, stating that the process was carried out as per IOA's constitution and had been ratified in January 2024. She clarified that Iyer had not yet been paid due to certain EC members obstructing the process.

In her letter, Usha further claimed that some of the EC members had questionable reputations, including accusations of gender bias and sexual harassment. She alleged that the conflict with the EC members was part of a broader effort to derail the progress of Indian sports and diminish the efforts of those working to elevate India on the global sports stage.

"The malicious letter from the 12 members of the IOA EC is part of a much broader attempt to hinder the progress of Indian sports," Usha said, vowing to continue her commitment to transparency, integrity, and the betterment of Indian athletes.

This confrontation marks another chapter in the IOA's turbulent governance, raising concerns about its stability ahead of crucial international events.