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PT Usha Dissolves Bihar Olympic Association, Announces Formation of Ad Hoc Committee

January 2, 2025, 11:44 pm

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has disbanded the Bihar Olympic Association (BOA) due to concerns about governance, transparency, and administrative inefficiency. IOA President PT Usha has established a five-member ad hoc committee, headed by Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh, to oversee BOA activities and organize new elections by March 31.

This decision follows a legal notice from BOA to Usha, challenging her decision to create a fact-finding commission to investigate complaints about BOA’s operations. BOA Secretary Mushtaque Ahmad termed Usha’s action as “unilateral and arbitrary,” asserting that the association had not been given a chance to respond to the allegations.

On Wednesday, Usha announced the formation of the ad hoc committee based on the recommendations made by fact-finding commissioner Hemanta Kalita. “In response to the remarks and recommendations from the fact-finding commission assigned to the Bihar Olympic Association, an ad hoc committee is being formed to oversee the affairs of the BOA,” Usha stated in an official notice.

Kalita’s report highlighted issues with BOA’s affiliation procedures for regional sports federations, insufficient initiatives for sports development, and gaps in transparency, communication, and governance. Kalita, who is the Secretary General of the Boxing Federation of India, visited Bihar and interacted with various stakeholders during his investigation.

The ad hoc committee consists of Bholanath Singh as its chairperson, alongside Arun Kumar Ojha, Pankaj Kumar Jyoti, Sanjay Sinha, and Arjuna award-winning shooter Shreyasi Singh. Their responsibilities include ensuring Bihar’s participation in the upcoming National Games, managing affiliations for state sports associations, aligning the BOA constitution with IOA guidelines, and conducting elections for BOA’s executive committee by March 31.

Usha initiated similar investigations for the Rajasthan and Telangana state Olympic associations to address claims of administrative irregularities and election-related disputes. IOA Vice-President Rajlaxmi Singh Deo, however, criticized Usha’s actions, stating that the executive body was “not privy to the alleged complaints” and that these issues had not been discussed in any executive committee meetings.

For Rajasthan, the IOA confirmed the election of Tejasvi Singh Gehlot as president, Surendra Singh Gurjar as secretary general, and Arun Kumar Saraswat as treasurer of the Rajasthan State Olympic Association. This decision was based on recommendations from fact-finding commissioner Avjit Paul, who noted that the opposing faction led by Anil Vyas “evaded meeting or cooperating with the commission,” as mentioned in Usha’s letter to the Rajasthan body dated December 31.

‘National Games Clash with Asian Winter Games 2025’

November 6, 2024, 6:04 pm

PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has confirmed the dates for the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. In an official letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, she highlighted the event’s significance and the IOA’s commitment to ensuring its success.

Despite the indefinite postponement of the IOA’s Special General Meeting, originally set for October 25, 2025, PT Usha assured the Chief Minister that the IOA remains fully committed to the National Games. She emphasised that internal IOA matters would not affect the planning and execution of this key event.

The IOA has approved the proposed dates for the National Games, from January 28 to February 14, 2025. However, PT Usha noted a scheduling clash with the Asian Winter Games, which will be held in Harbin, China, from February 7 to February 14, 2025. As India will be sending a large contingent to the Asian Winter Games, she highlighted the need to adjust the National Games schedule to prevent any overlap.

To ensure the smooth conduct of the National Games, the IOA has established a Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) and other key committees dedicated to supporting preparations. The commitment of these committees is directed towards delivering an exceptional event in Uttarakhand.

PT Usha’s letter underscores the IOA’s dedication to promoting sports development in India and hosting the National Games without disruptions. The successful organization of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand remains a priority, reflecting the IOA’s commitment to fostering a strong sports culture in the country.

The National Games are expected to bring together athletes from across the nation, showcasing their talents and contributing to the growth of Indian sports. With the IOA’s proactive steps and the cooperation of the Uttarakhand government, the upcoming National Games are set to be a landmark event in the Indian sports calendar.

In a related development, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has announced that the 9th Asian Winter Games will be held in Harbin, China, from February 7 to February 14, 2025. This event will feature six sports, 11 disciplines, and 64 events, with over 1,500 athletes from 34 countries and regions expected to participate.

Given the overlap in dates between the National Games and the Asian Winter Games, the IOA is considering rescheduling certain events to ensure that Indian athletes can participate in both competitions without conflict. This adjustment aims to provide athletes with the opportunity to compete at both national and international levels, thereby enhancing their experience and exposure.

The Uttarakhand government has expressed its readiness to host the National Games, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stating that the state is fully prepared and has developed the necessary infrastructure to ensure the event’s success. He emphasized that the games will be organized on a grand scale, drawing inspiration from previous editions to provide better facilities and arrangements for athletes and attendees.

Also read: India is pushing for $1 trillion climate finance deal at COP29

As preparations continue, the IOA and the Uttarakhand government are working closely to address any challenges and ensure that the 38th National Games serve as a platform for athletes to showcase their talents and contribute to the growth of sports in India.

PT Usha in Heated Clash with IOA Executive Council Over CEO Appointment

September 28, 2024, 9:54 am

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha faced another intense confrontation with the IOA’s Executive Council on Thursday regarding the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as CEO. A majority of the council members voiced their disapproval of Iyer’s appointment, leading to a stalemate in the meeting called for the ratification of his role. Despite the opposition, Usha stood firm in her decision and refused to remove Iyer from the position, deepening the ongoing dispute.

Call for Re-advertising the CEO Position

Following the meeting, Usha expressed frustration over the Executive Council’s demand to restart the CEO appointment process, saying, “They want to re-initiate the whole process, they want to re-advertise afresh. It’s like saying we don’t want this person and let us start the process from scratch.”

The appointment process, which took two years, was at risk of being undone, potentially jeopardizing India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics. “This is going to have repercussions (from the IOC). It can jeopardize India’s chances of bidding for and hosting the 2036 Olympics,” Usha warned.

Executive Council Sticks to Its Decision

Despite Usha’s concerns, 10 council members present at the meeting issued a statement reaffirming their decision to restart the hiring process. “The ratification of Mr. Iyer as the CEO was not approved. Further, it was decided that the process of the appointment of the CEO be re-initiated with new terms of reference,” the statement read.

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) Director, Jerome Poivy, attended the meeting virtually but refrained from intervening, calling it an “internal matter of the IOA.”

Salary Dispute a Key Issue

One of the main issues surrounding Iyer’s appointment is his salary. Usha revealed that the salary—set at Rs 20 lakh per month, along with perks—was a major sticking point for the Executive Council. She offered to renegotiate the amount, but the council remained adamant about starting the hiring process anew.

“The EC meeting held in January was video-recorded. I asked each one of them whether they agree to the appointment of Iyer as the CEO or not. All of them said Iyer is good and everything about him is all right. Only his salary will have to be negotiated,” Usha said, noting the inconsistency in their current opposition.

Potential Impact on India’s Olympic Bid

Usha emphasized that the delay in appointing a CEO could harm India’s chances of bidding for the 2036 Olympics. “The Future Host Commission agreed to have a dialogue with us only after the appointment (of the CEO) was done. The CEO will have to lead the negotiations, we have to show professionalism,” she explained.

She also noted that the IOC had been patient with India regarding the issue, but warned that further delays could lead to serious consequences for India’s Olympic aspirations.

Continuing Dispute

As tensions escalate, the Executive Council’s stance remains unchanged, with acting CEO Kalyan Chaubey continuing to handle the duties of the position for now. Meanwhile, Usha vowed to clean up the IOA and ensure a resolution, stating, “I am not a quitter, I am not going anywhere without cleaning the IOA.”

PT Usha Defends IOA Medical Team, Blames Athletes for Weight Management

August 12, 2024, 2:44 pm

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha responded to the criticism aimed at the IOA medical team, particularly Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, by stating that in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo, it is the athlete’s responsibility to manage their weight.

Usha’s remarks follow the controversy surrounding Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from her gold-medal match in the women’s 50kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympics for being 100 grams overweight during the morning weigh-in. Vinesh, who became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final last Tuesday, was devastated by the disqualification and announced her retirement the next day. The incident led to a blame game in India, with some members of Parliament accusing Dr. Pardiwala and his team of negligence, while former IOA Chief Narendra Batra suggested Vinesh’s diet might have contributed to the disqualification.

In a statement, Usha emphasized, “The responsibility of weight management in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with the athletes and their coaches, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team. The criticism directed at the IOA medical team, especially Dr. Pardiwala, is unjustified and deserves condemnation.”

Usha further clarified that most athletes have their own support staff, and the IOA’s medical team, established just a few months before the Paris Games, was intended to assist athletes with recovery and injury management.

“Each Indian athlete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in these sports had their own support teams, which have been working with them for many years,” Usha explained. “The IOA appointed a medical team a few months ago to aid in the recovery and injury management of athletes during and after their competitions. This team was also there to support athletes who didn’t have their own nutritionists and physiotherapists.”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to announce its final verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a joint silver medal on August 13.

Vinesh Phogat Reacts To Olympic Disqualification: “Hard Luck, Part Of The Game”

August 7, 2024, 10:42 pm

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has spoken out after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics for being 100 grams overweight before the women’s 50kg gold medal match. In her first reaction, Vinesh expressed disappointment but acknowledged that missing out on the medal is part of the sport.

The disqualification was a huge disappointment not only for Phogat but also for her fans and supporters across the country. She was set to compete against the United States’ Sarah Ann Hildebrandt and was assured of a silver medal. However, she will now return home without a medal.

Indian coaches Virender Dahiya and Manjeet Rani met with Vinesh after the unexpected disqualification to offer support. Dahiya shared, “We met Vinesh and tried to console her. She was brave. She told us, ‘It’s hard luck that we missed the medal, but it is part of the game.'”

Support from Officials and Politicians

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha also visited Vinesh at the Olympic Village’s medical center. “I am shocked and disappointed by the news of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification,” Usha said. “She is physically and medically okay, but mentally disappointed. Our support staff is doing their best to help her.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for Vinesh, calling her a “champion among champions” in a social media post. Meanwhile, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that a “strong protest” had been lodged with the international body United World Wrestling (UWW).

Political Reactions

The disqualification has sparked political controversy in Delhi, with politicians trading accusations over who is responsible for the situation. Opposition parties have suggested a conspiracy, noting that Vinesh was recently involved in protests against former Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.

Despite the setback, Vinesh Phogat remains a resilient figure in Indian sports, and her determination continues to inspire many.

Paris Olympics 2024: Indian Contingent To Be Accompanied With 78 Athletes & Officials From 12 Disciplines In Parade Of Nations

July 26, 2024, 9:59 pm

In the Parade of Nations ceremony, the Indian contingent is set to be accompanied by 78 athletes and officials from 12 disciplines, whose teams have reached France.

Regarding the composition of the Indian contingent, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang will be given top priority in parade of Nations ceremony.

All the available athletes will be present in the parade. But on Saturday, many players will be present in various competitions and IOA has respected their decision to not participate in the opening ceremony. Instead, they have chosen to give priority to their preparation instead.

The badminton star player PV Sindhu and tennis player Sharath Kamal is set to act as a flagbearer of Indian in Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

Prior to the opening day, India is already performing very well as both women and men’s archery team have acquired qualification for quarter-final in a separate event.

On July 27, India is expecting a medal at first try in mixed team air rifle medal matches, which is going to be held at National Shooting Centre in Chateauroux.

Moreover, two Indian teams like Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan & Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal are going to participate in this sports tournament.

Besides them, another player Manu Bhaker will participate in two single pistol events. In addition, he will also participate in 10m air pistol mixed team tournament.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of 2024 Paris Olympics is going to start today at 11 pm (IST). India has announced 117 athletes for the tournament.

IOA President PT Usha Advocates Yoga’s Inclusion In Asian Games

June 27, 2024, 8:26 pm

PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of Yoga in the Asian Games programme. In a letter to Raja Randhir Singh, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Usha emphasized Yoga’s global embrace and its significant benefits for physical and mental health. She credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting Yoga, noting its universal appeal celebrated during the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21.

Highlighting India’s role as the spiritual home of Yoga, Usha urged for its inclusion in major sporting events like the Asian Games and eventually the Olympics. She referenced global initiatives, such as Yoga sessions at the Louvre Museum in Paris, as a testament to Yoga’s growing recognition worldwide.

Usha also mentioned the support of Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, who sees the Asian Games as a stepping stone towards Yoga’s inclusion in the Olympics. She highlighted Yoga’s success in events like the Khelo India Games and its recent inclusion in the National Games in Goa, including Mallakhambh and Yogasanas.

Expressing confidence in Yoga’s appeal to broadcasters and its potential to attract global audiences, Usha urged the Olympic Council of Asia to consider her proposal favorably.

PT Usha meets with protesting wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar

May 3, 2023, 1:13 pm

On Wednesday, PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), met with wrestlers who had been holding a sit-in protest calling for the dismissal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who is accused of sexual harassment.

Usha had previously stated on April 27 that the wrestlers should have contacted the IOA rather than protesting in the streets against the WFI and its president, whom the wrestlers accused of sexual harassment and athlete mismanagement.

“Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is having a committee for sexual harassment, instead of going to the streets they (protesting wrestlers) could have come to us earlier but they did not come to IOA. It is not good for sports not only for wrestlers, they should also have some discipline,” the IOA president had told mediapersons earlier.
Wrestlers had expressed their disappointment at her remarks.
“Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) is not listening to other women athletes. We have followed her since childhood and got inspired by her. Where is indiscipline here, we are sitting here peacefully,” Sakshee Malikkh told mediapersons.
Vinesh Phogat, a CWG and World Championships medalist also termed Usha’s comments as “insensitive”.

“We live as per the constitution and are independent citizens. We can go anywhere. If we are sitting out in the streets, there must be some reason, a reason that nobody listened to us, be it IOA or Sports Ministry. Her saying this is insensitive. I even called her, but she did not pick up my phone,” said Vinesh.
Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia said, “You feel sad when she says these things because she is the IOA Chief and a woman herself, she cried for her academy in front of the media. She wants us to approach IOA, but we went there three months back, but no justice was given.”

Three months ago prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against WFI Chief, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe allegations levelled against the WFI and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other coaches.The committee was tasked with submitting a report on the issue to the ministry. The wrestlers launched a fresh protest in April.

On April 30, Delhi Police registered two FIRs against WFI president Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers by him. Top Indian grapplers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many other wrestlers are involved in the protest against the WFI chief.

PT Usha to set up Athletics Academy

April 3, 2023, 1:36 pm

The Andhra Pradesh Athletic Association (APAA), along with delegates from other sports associations, honored Olympian and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha on Sunday in Vijayawada.

The APAA honored the IOA President and her spouse, V. Srinivasan, in the evening.
She stated at the event that she is establishing an Athletics Academy to create more international athletes. Currently, her academy is home to approximately 25 athletes, 12 of whom are national medalists and eight of whom are world medalists.
Usha stated to the media that the number of outstanding IOA concerns had decreased from 251 to 80 since she took over as president four months ago.

“We are attempting to address all issues and reduce the number of pending cases.” We formed a committee solely to deal with the affiliation and other problems. We’ll get them sorted out shortly. “We only need one affiliate association per state, not two or three,” Usha explained.
Usha expressed her delight at seeing so many run participants.

“I was a little disappointed because I didn’t see a synthetic track in Vijayawada.” This is my plea to government officials. Andhra Pradesh has a large number of foreign athletes. A manmade track is required in Vijayawada. I trust the government is interested in this. “Even municipalities can take the initiative,” Usha pointed out.
Usha revealed that she began her sports career at the age of 13 and competed with the Under-16s.
The Olympian urged parents to recognize and support their children’s talents. Usha stated that as President of the Indian Olympic Association, she would do her utmost.

PT Usha breaks down on camera, claims security threat to her athletics school

February 5, 2023, 2:02 pm

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha on Saturday broke down in front of the media alleging that illegal construction work was being carried out in the compound of her Usha School of Athletics in Kerala. She also said that the work was stopped after a complaint to the police. While talking to the media Usha stated that:

“Some people barged into the compound of Usha School of Athletics and began construction work. When management confronted them, they misbehaved. They claimed that they had permission from Panangad panchayat, we complained to the police and work was stopped.”

She also said that inmates at the Usha School of Athletics had been facing such harassment and security issues for some time and it has intensified after she became a Member of the Upper House. Notably, Usha had been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the BJP in July 2022.
She also highlighted that her prime concern is the safety of girls studying there which is at stake due to the lack of fence or boundary. In addition to this she alleged that drug addicts and couples barge into the compound at night and dump waste into the drainage and urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to resolve the issue. As per the website Usha School of Athletics is dedicated to “advancing promotion and practice of sports at possible levels with state-of-the-art facilities in athletic skill development.”

Protesting Wrestlers write to IOA chief PT Usha

January 20, 2023, 1:57 pm

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia wrote to PT Usha, President of the Idia Olympic Association on sexual harassment complaints against Wrestling Federation India Chairman Brij Bhushan Saran Singh. In the letter to the IOA president Usha, they demanded resignation of the WFI chief and the formation of an inquiry committee on the allegations of sexual harassment. Several ace Wrestlers of the country participated in the sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Indian wrestler and Commonwealth Games medallist Vinesh Phogat on the first day of protest alleges that coaches who are favourites of the WFI misbehaved with women and harass them. She also accused the Federation chief Brij Bhushan and Sharan Singh for sexually harassing girls and calling her ‘Khota sikka’ after her defeat at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Denying the claims by the wrestlers Sharan Singh said, “I read that the name of the chief coach has also been taken in sexual assault allegations. I also read that the reason for the players’ camp being held in Lucknow. All the sexual harassment allegations are false and I will commit suicide if they are found to be true. I tried to get in touch with the wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia but was unable to do so.”

PT Usha to be President of Indian Olympic Association

November 28, 2022, 1:31 pm

Legendary athlete PT Usha (IOA) has been appointed as the new president of the Indian Olympic Association.

The athlete was congratulated on her election by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was formerly the Union Sports Minister.

Congratulations to legendary Golden Girl, Smt. P T Usha on being elected as the President of Indian Olympic Association. I also congratulate all the sporting heroes of our country on becoming the office bearers of the prestigious IOA! Nation is proud of them ! pic.twitter.com/LSHHdmMy9H
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 27, 2022

“Congratulations to legendary Golden Girl, Smt. P T Usha on being elected as the President of Indian Olympic Association. I also congratulate all the sporting heroes of our country on becoming the office bearers of the prestigious IOA! A nation is proud of them!,” tweeted Rijiju.

Earlier, Usha had said that she was filing a nomination for the post.
“With the warm support of my fellow athletes and national federations, I am humbled and honoured to accept and file for the nomination of the president of the IOA!” PT Usha tweeted on Saturday.

The post from Rijiju was also retweeted by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

One of the best athletes to ever represent India is the legendary sprinter Usha, who boasts four gold and seven silver medals from the Asian Games. In the women’s 400-meter hurdles event at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, she came up just 1/100th of a second short of a podium finish. Her time of 55:42 in Los Angeles is still the national benchmark.