The chaos surrounding the internal wranglings Indian Olympic Association, primarily caused by the shenanigans of IOA joint secretary and self appointed CEO Kalyan Chaubey, is spiralling out of the control of the BJP politician and the cabal that has aligned with him.
The conflict has prompted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to intervene, cutting off vital funding and even more critically, threatening India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
There is of course the additional matter of the mess in the All India Football Federation, which Chaubey has headed as its president for just over two years.
Related to that, there was former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s recent lambasting of Chaubey, accusing him not just of involvement in corruption, but also of attempting a power grab against sitting Indian IOA president PT Usha that has only brought disrepute to India’s standing in the world of Olympic sports.
Usha, on her part, has accused Chaubey of ‘impersonating’ the CEO of the IOA and issuing an ‘unauthorised and illegal agenda’ for the national Olympic body’s Special General Meeting (SGM).
Meanwhile, former AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran, who had worked closely with Chaubey during his tenure before his contract was terminated for an alleged ‘breach of trust’, has weighed in with his opinion on the controversies Chaubey has been embroiled in.
“These things should not happen in Indian sports because we are not at a level where we’re winning 100 medals. We need to get our house in order and present a good picture of Indian sports. If India is planning to host the 2036 Olympics then everyone needs to work as a team. This controversy should be avoided because at the end it’s about the country and the image should not be harmed in any way,” Shaji told IANS.
Usha and the Chaubey have been engaged in a turf war since January 2024 when Raghuram Iyer was appointed as the CEO of the IOA.
The internal conflict has attracted the attention of the IOC, which has now intervened in the matter. Inside The Games reports that in a letter sent by James MacLeod, director of NOC Relations and Olympic Solidarity, the IOC expressed its concern about the governance issues plaguing the IOA. It is clear that there are ongoing internal disputes and governance issues within the IOA, including a number of mutual accusations that have been made within the Executive Council,” the letter said. As a result, the IOC has announced that it will withhold Olympic Solidarity grants until the situation is resolved, citing a ‘need for clarification’.
The financial implications of the IOC’s decision are significant as the IOA has been receiving €1 million annually for the past four years for athlete development programmes. The IOC’s decision to suspend these funds has deepened the internal strife within the IOA. In an official statement, Usha put the blame on IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav, accusing him of failing to submit necessary financial reports. This negligence will result in the IOA losing out on critical Olympic Solidarity Grants, which will be a major blow to our efforts to support Indian athletes,’ Usha’s statement said. The IOA reiterated that these grants are ‘a vital source of funding for athlete development programmes and sports initiatives’.
Inside The Games further reports:
As the date (October 25) of the SGM approaches, the stakes for Usha’s leadership are higher than ever. A successful no-confidence motion could not only oust her from her role, but also further destabilise the IOA, potentially jeopardising India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Usha has voiced her concerns about the wider implications of this conflict, warning that ‘the ongoing infighting within the IOA could severely damage India’s Olympic ambitions’.
Usha has accused several key figures, including Chaubey and treasurer Sahdev Yadav, of deliberately undermining her leadership. “It is sad that several important office bearers in the IOA are working against the country’s Olympic aspirations,” Usha said. “This is not just about my presidency, it is about the future of Indian sport on the world stage.”
Despite repeated attempts by Usha to resolve the disputes, including calls for unity, the conflict continues to intensify. The IOC’s letter reflects the gravity of the situation, stating that ‘numerous attempts to find constructive solutions have so far been unsuccessful’. As the IOC’s intervention makes clear, the infighting within the IOA has reached a critical point, with serious implications for the future of Indian sport.
