SGM Postponed After Being Convened Twice by the IOA President and the Acting CEO

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha scrapped the agenda issued by acting CEO Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, citing it as illegal and in violation of the IOA Constitution. The agenda called for a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 25, 2024, which had already been convened by her through a notice issued on October 3, 2024. Mr. Chaubey was due to attend the SGM as the official representative of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF). The issuance of a separate agenda for the same SGM was alleged to have been done with mala fide intent.

Her press release clarified that Mr. Raghuram Iyer, who has been recognized by both the International Olympics Committee and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, was the actual CEO of the IOA. Further, 12 members of the IOA Executive Committee (EC) were set to issue a “No Confidence Motion” against her at the scheduled meeting. The meeting has been rescheduled for November 10, 2024.

This is the latest in a series of spats between the IOA President and the EC members. With allegations of violation of the sports code and financial irregularities against treasurer Sahdev Yadav, a letter to a senior IOC official regarding the president’s autocratic mannerisms, and a joint communication issued by the members, the matters do not seem to be nearing a reasonable resolution anytime soon.