Dispute Erupts in Indian Olympic Association

The ongoing conflict between PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and a faction of the Executive Council (EC) has intensified, with 12 EC members accusing her of 'autocratic' leadership in a letter to IOC official Jerome Poivey. The dispute centers on the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as CEO, which Usha insists adhered to the IOA constitution, while EC members seek to restart the hiring process due to dissatisfaction with the appointment and Iyer's salary of ₹20 lakh per month. Usha has expressed that the EC's behavior could jeopardize India's ambitions for future Olympic bids, emphasizing the need for a more democratic governance structure within the IOA. Despite Usha claiming that most EC members support Iyer, the council's resistance to his appointment has led to a stalemate. The situation raises concerns about the impact of internal discord on the IOA's effectiveness and governance, with Usha's leadership style facing significant scrutiny. This ongoing feud highlights the challenges facing the IOA as it seeks to manage operations and maintain its integrity amid factional disputes.