IGF Objects to IOA’s Interference in Elections

The International Golf Federation (IGF) has voiced strong opposition to the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) involvement in the recent elections of the Indian Golf Union (IGU), deeming the IOA’s actions as inappropriate meddling. The IOA and IGU have been in conflict over the appointment of the Returning Officer (RO) for the IGU elections, which resulted in two parallel elections.

In a correspondence sent to IOA President PT Usha, IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon confirmed the IGF’s endorsement of the IGU leadership elected on December 15, 2024, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, where Brijinder Singh was re-elected as president. Scanlon pointed out that these elections were held in line with the IGU’s constitution and the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. He asserted that the IOA has no authority over the IGU’s electoral process and criticized the IOA for undermining the valid elections by endorsing a rival faction led by Harish Kumar Shetty, which convened a separate and “non-constitutional” meeting at the IOA’s location.

Additionally, Scanlon condemned the IOA’s decision to omit golf from the 38th National Games, labelling it as punitive towards athletes and inconsistent with the Olympic Charter’s directive to support high-performance sports. The IGF has called on the IOA to promptly address these matters and has informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for further assessment.