IOA EC puts up an united front, insists on working together in push for 2036 Olympics

The Indian Olympic Association put up a united front on Thursday with the entire Executive Council appearing together in public for the first time in almost 18 months, confirming the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as the CEO, and setting up a panel to tackle doping.

Raghuram’s appointment by Usha in January 2024 at a salary of Rs. 20 lakh per month and other perks had been the biggest bone of contention between IOA president P.T. Usha and other members and had remained unratified. A majority of EC members had even brought in a no-confidence motion against Usha last year before it was dropped.

Officially titled ‘Powering India’s Sporting Aspirations: IOA’s Vision 2036’ there was no denying the meet was primarily to affirm truce within the IOA.

No AGM had been held since March 2023 and a stormy EC meeting in September 2024 had failed to break the impasse. Raghuram, who was also present on the occasion, had continued to discharge his duties and was also part of the Indian delegation to meet IOC in Lausanne last month.

“Everything is sorted and that is why he is sitting here with me. Everything is ratified,” Usha declared, “Raghu Iyer is the CEO of IOA,” AIFF president Kalyan Choubey insisted and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav, one of Usha’s most vocal opponents, said, “It’s like small bickering and we are back and happy to be together.”

The beginning of the end of the deadlock had begun with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya holding informal meetings with Usha and EC members and trying to get them to negotiate. The IOA visit to Lausanne as part of India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics, which included ministry officials, and IOC feedback further helped bring about a rapprochement.

“We are focused on our long-term goal of transforming India into a sporting powerhouse. It’s part of our resolve to power through India’s sporting aspirations via Mission 2036,” Usha said, adding that the IOA was committed to inclusivity and gender parity in Indian sport.

“We are equally committed to making sports an inclusive space for women, young athletes, those from tribal areas and every Indian who dreams of sporting excellence,” she said.

On the new Sports Bill, Choubey said that “it clearly mentions that the government has brought some guidelines and it is not to interfere. If there is any conflict, the rules of the international body will prevail. Idea is not to create any confrontation or confusion, the idea is to work together.”

The seven-member anti-doping panel, meanwhile, will be headed by India’s Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal after India’s poor record was flagged by the IOC.