IOA EC Members Criticize 'Unlawful' Establishment of Ad-Hoc Committee for Bihar Olympic Association
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Synopsis
On January 24, members of the Indian Olympic Association's Executive Council expressed their objections to president PT Usha regarding the formation of an ad-hoc committee for the Bihar Olympic Association, claiming a lack of awareness and consultation. They have called for reconsideration of this decision by the Executive Council.
Key Takeaways
- Executive Council Members oppose the ad-hoc committee formation.
- PT Usha faces criticism for unilateral decision-making.
- Concerns about governance and transparency in BOA.
- Legal notice sent by BOA to Usha regarding her actions.
- IOA joint secretary termed Usha's actions as illegal.
New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) A faction of the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) executive council members expressed their discontent towards president PT Usha regarding the formation of an ad-hoc committee for the Bihar Olympic Association. They stated that they were unaware of this decision made by the IOA Executive Council and were not involved in any discussions about it.
In a letter signed by IOA chief PT Usha, the EC members Amitabh Sharma, Rohit Rajpal, and senior vice president Ajay Patel voiced their opposition to the establishment of this committee and urged that the matter be brought before the Executive Council for proper evaluation.
"This is in regard to the above-cited subject (Creation of Adhoc Committee, Bihar Olympic Association) and I wish to state that we as Executive Council members are not aware of such a decision taken by the Executive Council of IOA nor was it consulted with us. We are not in agreement with the creation of this committee and would request that the matter be brought to the EC for consideration with facts," the letter stated.
Earlier this month, the IOA dissolved the Bihar Olympic Association due to issues related to governance, transparency, and administrative inefficiency. Following this, PT Usha established a five-member ad-hoc committee led by Bholanath Singh, the secretary general of Hockey India, to manage the BOA temporarily and oversee new elections by March 31.
This action came shortly after the BOA issued a legal notice to Usha regarding her appointment of a fact-finding commission to investigate complaints against the BOA's operational and governance issues.
In a different correspondence, which IANS has obtained, IOA joint secretary Alakhnanda Ashok labeled Usha's actions as "illegal" and emphasized that such decisions may hinder the effective operation of state associations.
'My objection to the creation of an Adhoc committee in Bihar State Olympic Association,' Ashok noted in his communication addressed to IOA president Usha.
"I am astonished to observe your illegal actions repeatedly. I am once again opposing your so-called illegal action regarding the formation of the Adhoc Committee in the Bihar State Olympic Association (BSOA)."
"This decision was made arbitrarily and autocratically, without the endorsement or discussion of the IOA Executive Board, in blatant violation of the IOA Constitution," the email elaborated.
"Your actions are detrimental to athletes, as they induce instability and obstruct the proper functioning of state associations. I strongly recommend you to retract this decision immediately and operate in full compliance with the IOA Constitution, considering the welfare of the players," it concluded.
The other members of the ad-hoc committee, appointed by Usha, include Arun Kumar Ojha, Pankaj Kumar Jyoti, Sanjay Sinha, and Arjuna awardee shooter Shreyasi Singh.
