IOA internal feud takes new turn as ‘unauthorized people’ denied entry to headquarters – Firstpost
IOA President PT Usha and most members of the executive council have been at odds since the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as CEO on January 6.
The internal feud within the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) took a new turn in New Delhi on April 5 when nine members of its executive council asked “unauthorized persons” not to enter its headquarters in a notice addressed to two recently appointed officials. The notice was posted at the IOA office premises after a meeting of nine members of the executive council on Tuesday.
IOA President PT Usha and most of the executive council members have been at odds since the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as CEO on January 6. Iyer had previously served as CEO of Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals.
“This notice is issued to inform that unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter the IOA building/offices,” said the notice signed by nine members of the executive council.
“Board members have noticed unapproved/licensed staff entering and occupying offices, which is illegal and amounts to trespassing,” he said.
The notice was signed by senior vice-president Ajay Patel, vice-presidents Rajlakshmi Singh Deo and Gagan Narang, treasurer Sahdev Yadav and members Dola Banerjee, Harpal Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt, Amitabh Sharma and Bhupinder Singh Bajwa.
It is learned that Usha is currently not in the city although she has been informed about the developments.
Just days after Iyer was named CEO, 12 of the 15 EC members claimed that Usha “pressurized” them to pave the way for his appointment, an accusation the legendary athlete called ” shameful.”
In February, a majority of EC members claimed to have signed a suspension order declaring Iyer’s appointment null and void. The EC members claimed that they had also canceled the appointment of Ajay Narang as Executive Assistant to the IOA President.
Iyer and Narang, however, have been carrying out their official duties since they were recruited by Usha, who claimed that she had full confidence in the newly appointed CEO and that there was no going back on the decision of the ‘to hire.
She had also claimed that she had not received any communication from the executive council members regarding the reported suspension of the CEO.
The CEO’s salary, which is Rs 20 lakh per month plus allowances (total CTC of around Rs 3 crore per annum), is said to be at the center of the row between Usha and a majority of the EC members, who claimed that the President of the IOA made a “unilateral” decision on the matter.
Responding to the accusations, Usha said the appointment of the CEO was discussed at length during the EC meeting (in January) and a majority of the members present “ratified” it.
She said most EC members recommended a renegotiation of the remuneration set for the CEO citing lack of funding from the IOA and that it “was reduced by more than 30% from the agreed remuneration previously”.
Usha also warned the EC members that the International Olympic Committee may intervene and suspend India if they continue to act provocatively.
