Indian Olympic Association to soon hold council meeting to address PT Usha’s “threatening letters”, accreditation card controversy and more

The upcoming executive council meeting of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is poised to be a contentious gathering as various contentious issues are added to the agenda. One of the primary topics of discussion will be the alleged "threatening letters" issued by the IOA president, PT Usha, to council members. This meeting is taking place amidst escalating tensions between Usha and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav.

On Tuesday, Yadav announced his intention to pursue legal action against Usha, claiming that she defamed him following her issuance of a show cause notice related to a complaint questioning his eligibility for the treasurer position.

The agenda for the meeting has expanded to include 14 points, prominently featuring discussions around the "illegal and threatening letters issued by the President to the members of the Executive Committee from time to time." Additionally, the council plans to explore the scope of the president's powers under the IOA Constitution and will consider whether to report the president's conduct to the IOA Ethics Commission.

A joint communication regarding the meeting was issued by 12 council members, including senior vice president Ajay Patel, vice-presidents Rajalaxmi Singh Deo and Gagan Narang—an Olympic medallist — along with former wrestler and council member Yogeshwar Dutt. Notably, members who refrained from signing this communication include boxer M.C. Mary Kom and table tennis player A. Sharath Kamal, both of whom are part of the IOA athletes' commission.

Focus on recent Olympics and financial concerns

The meeting will also address significant matters related to the recent Paris Olympics. Key topics will include an examination of sponsorship agreements and "additional expenditures" incurred during the event, such as the costs associated with the president's room upgrades, which are alleged to have been covered by the IOA. Furthermore, the council will discuss the accreditation process, including the distribution of accreditation cards and various passes and invites issued during the Olympics.

Another important point of discussion will be the selection process for the Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) from November 2022 and the implications for their participation in the IOA elections for elected positions. The athletes' commission previously designated eight SOMs, including Usha, Yogeshwar Dutt, MM Somaya (hockey), Rohit Rajpal (tennis), Akhil Kumar (boxing), Shuma Sirur (shooting), Aparna Popat (badminton), and Dola Banerjee (archery).

As the meeting approaches, the air is thick with anticipation regarding how these issues will unfold and the potential implications for the IOA's governance and integrity.

(With inputs from PTI)