PT Usha Breaks Silence On Accusations Of Running Indian Olympic Association In 'Autocratic' Manner

Accused of running the Indian Olympic Association in an "autocratic" manner, its president PT Usha on Sunday hit back at the revolting executive council members, saying they "seem more focused on self-serving power play and monetary gain" than working for the betterment of the country's sport. In an official press release, Usha also alleged that "some of these EC members have very questionable track records, including allegations of gender bias and even cases of sexual harassment filed against them". "In my 45-year-long career as a sportsperson representing India ... I have never encountered individuals so indifferent to the aspirations of our athletes and our nation's sporting future ... these individuals seem more focused on self-serving power play and monetary gain through their prolonged presence and control in sports administration," Usha said.

"Further, it is essential to bring to light that some of these EC members have very questionable track records, including allegations of gender bias and even cases of sexual harassment filed against them," said the track legend without specifying any particular case or giving specific names.

On Saturday, 12 members of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Council shot off a letter to senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Jerome Poivey, accusing Usha of running the organization in an "autocratic" manner and with a "my way or the highway" approach.

They had sent the letter to Poivey, the head of Institutional Relations and Governance at the IOC, after Usha rejected their demand of removing Raghuram Iyer from the IOA CEO's post during a stormy executive council meeting.

The revolting EC members wrote to Poivey that Iyer's appointment is yet to be