Haren
Less than two years after she became the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association, legendary athlete PT Usha could face a vote of no-confidence during its Special General Meeting on October 25.
According to point number 26 of the meeting’s agenda issues by the Executive Council, the IOA will ‘discuss and consider a motion of No Confidence against the President in light of alleged constitutional violations and actions potentially detrimental to Indian sports.’
Usha has been involved in a prolonged tussle with the IOA’s Executive Council members, with allegations flying from both sides. The legendary athlete, the first woman to head the IOA, has issued show cause notice to multiple Executive Council members for allegedly violating eligibility norms.
On the other hand, her opponents have accused Usha of ‘high-handedness’. She has also been questioned by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India regarding the contract with Reliance for a hospitality lounge at the Paris Olympics. The CAG has alleged that Reliance was given ‘undue favours’ and that decisions taken by Usha caused the IOA a loss of Rs 24 crore. Usha has staunchly denied these allegations.
Other items on the agenda include a review of the IOA president’s power, ‘discuss the details of sponsorship contracts’ executed by Usha, the appointment of a CEO, the Rs 1.75 crore loan to Weightlifting Federation of India and show cause notices issued to multiple Executive Council members including IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav, Ajay Patel, Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, Rajlaxmi Singh Deo and Alaknanda Ashok.
