IOA CEO Appointment: 12 EC Members Allege President PT Usha 'Exerted Pressure', Legend Denies

Around a dozen of Executive Council (EC) members of Indian Olympic Association alleged that president P.T.Usha "exerted pressure" on them to pave the way for Raghu Iyer's appointment as CEO, a charge that the legendary athlete termed "shameful". Usha had issued an official statement on January 6 about the appointment of Iyer as CEO but 12 out of 15 EC members said that former Rajasthan Royals' chief executive's recruitment "hasn't been ratified" by the apex body.

"... you did not list the appointment of the CEO in the agenda circulated for our previous EC meeting. While introducing the matter into the agenda unilaterally, you tried to exert pressure on us to make a rushed and hasty decision," a letter dated January 14 and signed by 12 members of EC, stated.

"We found the manner in which you conducted the proceedings to inappropraite and not befitting of our institution." The letter was signed by all the EC members except for Usha, herself, Olympic medallist Mary Kom and ace paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal. It must be mentioned that Sharath is an active athlete.

Those who signed included senior vice president Ajay Patel, treasurer Sahadev Yadav, vice-presidents Raj Laxmi Deo and Gagan Narang, and another Olympic medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt.

"We hereby placed on record that the appointment of the CEO was not ratified by the EC. EC members were not given opportunity to peruse the proceedings of the nomination committee and understand the decision making process followed and the criteria used for selecting the candidate." The revolting members also alleged that Usha "unilaterally" decided on the CEO's salary and perks, which would be a whopping Rs 3 crore per annum.

"We also requested you to give us 7-10 days time to