Controversy Brews Within Indian Olympic Association Over Alleged Election Violations

Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha has issued a show cause notice to Treasurer Sahdev Yadav, questioning his eligibility under the National Sports Code. The complaint also implicates other officials for non-adherence to age and tenure limits. This has escalated the ongoing internal conflict within the IOA.

Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha has issued a formal show cause notice to the organization's Treasurer, Sahdev Yadav, amid allegations that his election contravenes the National Sports Code.

The notice, dated September 10, requests Yadav's response by September 24. In her letter, Usha mentions that a recent complaint, citing a ruling from the Hon'ble High Court, questions Yadav's eligibility for his position.

The complaint, which has also been sent to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and the International Olympic Committee's Associate Director of NOC Relations, Jerome Poivey, asserts that Yadav and several other officials have exceeded the 12-year tenure limit mandated by the sports code.

Yadav, a former secretary of the Indian Weightlifting Federation with 15 years on its board, is not the only official under scrutiny. Similar accusations have been made against other IOA members, including Ajay Patel, Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, and Rajlakshmi Singh Deo. The anonymous complainant has called for their immediate removal from the executive committee, further intensifying the ongoing internal conflict within the IOA.

This development is the latest in an escalating turf war within the IOA, with Usha accusing Executive Council members of trying to undermine her authority, including attempts to nullify appointments and issue termination letters to officials assigned by her.

(With inputs from agencies.)