NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has issued a strongly-worded letter to the sports ministry, accusing it of interfering in the affairs of national federations, which she claims undermines the credibility of sports governance. Usha pointed to examples like the contentious Indian Golf Union (IGU) elections to support her claims.
The ministry recently reprimanded the IOA for recognizing the faction led by Harish Kumar Shetty in the IGU elections. Usha stated that sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya is being misinformed about critical issues regarding national federations, including the IGU polls. In a January 2 letter, the ministry stated that the IOA’s recognition of Shetty’s faction could cause confusion and may not withstand legal scrutiny.
In her response to Mandaviya, Usha criticized the ministry’s procedural handling of the situation and alleged a lack of factual verification by the Under Secretary. She emphasized that since becoming IOA president, it has become apparent that the ministry’s staff fails to accurately inform the minister about the true facts.
The letter also detailed two Annual General Meetings (AGMs) held on December 15 to elect new IGU office-bearers at two venues, where conflicting leadership was established. Usha explained that the IOA recognized Shetty’s faction after reviewing evidence and procedural adherence, while the ministry took a strict view against it.
Usha argued that the faction recognized by the ministry did not meet the quorum requirements stipulated under IGU’s Constitution, making its election invalid. She described the ministry’s endorsement of a faction with insufficient attendance as “unlawful.”
Further, Usha highlighted discrepancies in the ministry’s actions, pointing out that federations like equestrian and yachting continue to receive recognition despite failing to conduct timely elections. She cited the ongoing delays in recognizing the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, which were conducted following Supreme Court directives and recognized by international bodies.
Usha also noted that the ministry’s emphasis on formalities such as updating the International Golf Federation website for recognition was superficial. She criticized selective actions that undermine the autonomy of national sports federations and called for corrective measures to ensure fair governance practices.
Usha concluded by urging the ministry to retract its letter granting recognition to the IGU elections, arguing it contradicts principles of transparency and fair play, which are essential for maintaining the integrity of sports governance in India.
Agencies