IOA Treasurer Sahdev Yadav Denies Allegations by IOA President

In response to the show cause notice issued by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), President P. T. Usha to five executive committee members alleging violation of the sports code as well as financial irregularities, treasurer Sahdev Yadav has provided documents to prove them baseless and threatened legal actions.

One of the accusations pertaining to his tenure as secretary general of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) was with respect to the loan amount of ₹1.75 crore IWLF had taken from the 2010 CWG Organising Committee to pay off a penalty of $500,000 that the International Weightlifting Federation had imposed on the Indian body for a series of doping offences. Yadav contended that the decision to extend the loan was taken in the public interest since the Indian team’s participation in CWG at home was at risk. IOA later wrote off the loan amount, and the audited financial statements were unanimously approved in the AGM presided by the IOA President.

Regarding the allegations of holding the position in the IOA in violation of the sports code, Yadav pointed out that the returning officer would have rejected his nomination, and he would have been disqualified from contesting the election as treasurer of the IOA had there been any violation. Under the Sports Code, an official is required to step aside after 12 consecutive years in office. In contrast, Yadav has been a former secretary of the Indian Weightlifting Federation and was on its board for 15 years.

A joint communication by 12 council members regarding the IOA executive council meeting stated that it would explore the scope of the president’s powers under the IOA Constitution in light of the alleged “threatening letters” issued by the IOA president. The meeting would also consider whether to report the president’s conduct to the IOA Ethics Commission, among other things.