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Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has called for a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 25 to address pressing issues that have divided the organization. The meeting will focus on the contentious appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer, allegations of corruption against treasurer Sahdev Yadav, and the eligibility of certain Executive Council (EC) members.Usha has faced resistance from a majority of EC members on these matters. Iyer's appointment has been particularly contentious due to concerns over his pay package and suitability for the role. Usha maintains that the CEO is crucial for the smooth functioning of the IOA and has warned that delays in his appointment could jeopardize India's bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.The SGM will also address allegations that some EC members are ineligible to hold office due to age and tenure restrictions outlined in the National Sports Code. The anonymous complaint has raised concerns about the validity of their positions.Usha's call for the SGM follows a heated confrontation with the EC on September 26, where members reiterated their opposition to Iyer's appointment. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both physical and virtual attendance.Iyer, a former CEO of IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, has also held administrative roles in the Indian Super League and Ultimate Table Tennis. His appointment has been met with resistance from EC members who question his qualifications and the high salary package offered to him.The SGM will provide a platform for the IOA to address these contentious issues and reach a consensus. The outcome of the meeting will have significant implications for the organization's governance and its ability to prepare for major sporting events, including the potential bid for the 2036 Olympics.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has expressed deep concern over the Executive Committee's (EC) failure to honor Olympic medalists and the Finance Committee's blockage of funds intended for athletes' preparation for the Paris Games.Usha lamented that despite India's historic medal haul of six, including two bronze by Manu Bhaker, the EC has not organized a formal felicitation ceremony. She emphasized the importance of celebrating athletes' achievements and expressed disappointment that the EC "does not want to celebrate their success."The IOA President also revealed that a proposal for a preparatory grant of Rs 2 lakh for each Olympic-bound athlete and Rs 1 lakh for each coach had been blocked by the Finance Committee, particularly by IOA Treasurer Sahdev Yadav. Usha believes this grant would have provided crucial support to athletes in the lead-up to the Games.Usha highlighted the contrast with previous leadership, which organized a successful felicitation ceremony for the Tokyo 2021 medalists despite the COVID-19 pandemic. She questioned the commitment of some EC members, especially former athletes, to recognizing the hard work and sacrifices of athletes.The IOA had planned to award each individual medalist between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore, with coaches receiving Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Usha urged the EC to take immediate action and ensure that athletes receive the honors they deserve.She reaffirmed her commitment to stand by the athletes, stating, "Our athletes are the heart and soul of Indian sport. I will not rest until they are given the due respect, support, and acknowledgment they have earned."Usha's concerns come amidst allegations of "autocratic" leadership and a demand by 12 EC members to remove IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer. Usha has dismissed these accusations as "malicious and false," asserting that they aim to undermine her leadership and efforts to improve Indian sports.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is set for a contentious executive council meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, with members adding several contentious items to the agenda. The meeting comes amid escalating tensions between IOA president PT Usha and treasurer Sahdev Yadav.One of the key issues on the agenda is the alleged "threatening letters" issued by Usha to executive committee members. The council will also discuss the scope of Usha's powers under the IOA Constitution and consider reporting her conduct to the IOA Ethics Commission.The meeting will also address issues related to the recent Paris Olympics, including sponsorship details, additional expenses incurred, and the accreditation process. The selection of Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) in November 2022 and their participation in IOA elections will also be discussed.The meeting was called by 12 council members, including senior vice president Ajay Patel, vice-president Rajalaxmi Singh Deo, and former Olympic medallist Gagan Narang. Notably, boxer M C Mary Kom and table tennis player A Sharath Kamal, who are on the IOA athletes commission, did not sign the document.The growing tensions between Usha and Yadav stem from a show cause notice issued by Usha to Yadav, challenging his eligibility to hold the post of treasurer. Yadav has threatened legal action against Usha for "defaming" his image.The IOA meeting is expected to be heated, with members likely to express their concerns and seek clarification on various issues. The outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for the future of the IOA and its leadership.

India's hockey dominance, once a source of national pride, waned significantly after the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Despite a brief resurgence with the gold medal victory, the decline continued unabated, leaving the men's team struggling to even qualify for the tournament.The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics marked the beginning of a barren run for the hockey team, which lasted over four decades. However, women's athletics witnessed some notable achievements. PT Usha narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the 400m by a mere hundredth of a second. Shiny Abraham became the first Indian woman to reach the semi-finals of an Olympic event in the 800m.At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, India's medal hopes were dashed once again. The men's hockey team failed to progress beyond the group stage, finishing seventh. The 1992 Barcelona Games also proved fruitless, with the hockey team suffering another group stage exit.Finally, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, India's medal drought came to an end. Leander Paes became the first Indian tennis player to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze in the men's singles. His victory marked the first individual Olympic medal for India in 44 years and the first medal since the hockey team's gold in 1980.Despite the resurgence in tennis, India's overall Olympic performance remained lackluster. The country won only one medal in the 20th century after 1980, highlighting the decline in its sporting prowess.

Indian Olympic Association Pushes for Yoga Inclusion in Asian GamesThe Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has made a strong case for the inclusion of yoga in the Asian Games program. In a letter to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Raja Randhir Singh, IOA President PT Usha highlighted the growing popularity of yoga worldwide and its significance for India as its spiritual home.Usha emphasized the overwhelming response to the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21, noting that people across nations have embraced yoga and experienced its benefits. She believes that India, as the birthplace of yoga, should lead the efforts to have it recognized as a sport in major international competitions."I am confident that as the spiritual home of yoga and as Vishwaguru, India can campaign for the inclusion of the sport in the Asian Games and eventually the Olympic Games as well," Usha stated.She pointed out that the renowned Louvre Museum in Paris will offer yoga sessions to visitors ahead of the Olympics next month, demonstrating the growing global interest in the practice. Usha also received encouragement from Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who sees the inclusion of yoga in the Asian Games as a stepping stone towards its recognition in the Olympics."He told me that he sees the inclusion in the Asian Games would be the first step in taking the sport to the Olympics. We need our indigenous sport to be on such platforms," Usha said.The IOA's push for yoga's inclusion in the Asian Games aligns with the government's efforts to promote yoga as a global wellness practice. The Ministry of Ayush has been actively promoting yoga through various initiatives, including the International Day of Yoga and the establishment of yoga centers worldwide.If yoga is included in the Asian Games, it would not only raise its profile but also provide a platform for Indian yogis to showcase their skills and compete against the best in Asia. It would also contribute to the growing recognition of yoga as a legitimate sport and its potential to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

New Sports Minister Takes Stock of India's Olympic PreparationsBarely a day after assuming office, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha to assess India's preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, was attended by Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, and Sports Authority of India Director General Sandip Pradhan.During the meeting, Mandaviya was briefed on the country's progress in qualifying for the Paris Games. IOA President Usha expressed confidence that India would send a contingent of over 100 athletes to the Olympics. "We have done everything good this time," Usha said. "We will be in contact every week and I hope that this is good for our Olympic athletes."Usha highlighted the efforts made to prioritize the needs of athletes in the lead-up to the Games. "Our first preference were the athletes, whatever the players want we have done this time," she said. "So we are expecting more medals this than Tokyo."As of now, 97 Indian athletes have qualified for the Paris Olympics, and the IOA expects the number to reach 115-120. The Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.Mandaviya expressed the government's commitment to supporting the athletes and ensuring their success in Paris. "I today visited the IOA officials for the first time where they briefed me about India's preparation for Paris Olympics," Mandaviya said. "The government is committed to extend all possible support."The meeting between Mandaviya and the IOA officials is a positive sign for India's Olympic preparations. The government's support and the IOA's commitment to athlete welfare will be crucial in ensuring India's success at the Paris Games.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is facing internal turmoil as President PT Usha has yet to receive a letter requesting an emergency meeting to address pressing issues. Eleven of the 15 Executive Committee (EC) members had raised concerns about the "arbitrary" functioning of CEO Raghu Ram Iyer and Usha's executive assistant, Ajay Narang.Usha, however, claims she has not received the letter and alleges that the EC members prevented business from being transacted at the March 28 meeting by refusing to allow video recording. She emphasizes that her decisions prioritize athletes' comfort.Regarding hotel and ticket bookings, Usha states that despite the IOC's mandate to complete bookings by August 2023, no action was taken until she intervened. She claims that the IOA failed to release advances for apartment complex bookings for extra team officials, resulting in the lapse of the booking.Similarly, the IOA's booking for golfers lapsed due to non-payment. In the case of shooting, the IOA assisted the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) in securing funds from the sports ministry to pay the advance for the venue, which is located 300 kilometers from Paris.Usha also highlights that two members of the three-member committee formed to oversee Olympic arrangements made themselves unavailable, preventing the appointment of replacements. She accuses the EC members of obstructing the smooth functioning of the IOA.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is facing a crisis as the executive committee (EC) has called for an emergency meeting to address urgent issues with president PT Usha. The EC members have raised concerns over the arbitrary functioning of CEO Raghuram Iyer and Ajay Narang, Usha's executive assistant.The logjam has affected the functioning of the IOA, with financial bills being held up and preparations for the Paris Olympics in jeopardy. The EC members have pointed to the resignation of two senior members, Raj Laxmi Singh Deo and Sahdev Yadav, due to a lack of information and arbitrary actions by Iyer and Narang.The EC has alleged that the duo is making unauthorized hotel and ticket bookings, granting unapproved accreditations, and spending IOA funds without following due processes. They have also expressed concerns over the appointment of Iyer as CEO, which they claim was illegal and unconstitutional.The EC members have demanded that Usha consult them on key appointments, such as the chef-de-mission for the Paris Olympics, and make decisions as per the IOA constitution. They have also reiterated their opposition to Iyer's appointment and Narang's contract.Usha has defended her actions, claiming that Iyer was appointed through proper procedures and that Narang is her executive assistant. However, the EC members maintain that they were not consulted on Iyer's appointment and that Narang's contract is a violation of the IOA constitution.The crisis within the IOA has raised concerns about the preparations for the Paris Olympics. The EC members have urged Usha to address the issues urgently and ensure that the athletes are well-prepared for the Games.