Very Worrisome: IOA President PT Usha slams Executive Committee for not congratulating Olympic medalists

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha on Monday said it is “very worrying” that the Executive Committee members have failed to honor the Olympic medalists and accused the Finance Commission of blocking funds meant to to support the preparation of Indian athletes for the Paris Games. India secured six medals, including two historic bronze medals from young shooter Manu Bhaker, but Usha said the “EC does not want to celebrate their success” and it makes her “very sad”.

“These athletes have made the nation proud, and it is the IOA’s responsibility to celebrate their achievements with the respect they deserve. It is deeply concerning that the EC, even after returning home in mid-August, has failed to discuss the issues or take any step towards organizing a formal congratulatory ceremony,” she said in a statement.

She revealed that a proposal for a preliminary grant of Rs 2 lakh for each Olympic athlete and Rs 1 lakh for each coach had been blocked by the Finance Commission, specifically by IOA Treasurer Sahdev Yadav.

“I am confident that this grant would have given our athletes and their coaches the support they needed in the crucial period leading up to the Olympic Games.

“The refusal to disburse these funds reflects a lack of understanding of the needs of athletes and shows a complete disregard for their preparation and well-being,” she stated.

Highlighting the contrast with the previous leadership, Usha pointed out that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, a successful felicitation ceremony was organized for the seven medalists of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. “As my predecessors commend the performance of our athletes during a global pandemic, what is stopping current EC members from doing the same? These medalists have worked tirelessly to bring honor to our nation, and they deserve to be recognized.” Usha questioned the commitment of some EC members, especially those who are former athletes.

“As someone who has represented India on the world stage, I understand the importance of recognizing the hard work, sacrifices and victories of our athletes. It is disheartening to see others in positions of power, especially those who have also carried the national flag, fail to uphold this duty.”

The IOA planned to reward each individual medalist between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore, with coaches receiving Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh as part of the official felicitation.

“By not implementing these plans, the IOA is disappointing the athletes who have made our country proud. I urge the Executive Committee to take immediate action to ensure our athletes receive the honor and recognition they deserve.”

Reaffirming her commitment to stand by the athletes, she said, “Our athletes are the heart and soul of Indian sports. I will not rest until they are given the due respect, support and recognition they have earned. ”

On Saturday, 12 members of the Executive Council had sent a letter to senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Jerome Poivey, accusing Usha of running the organization in an “autocratic” manner after backing down on their demand for Raghuram Iyer as CEO from the IOA had rejected. a controversial meeting.

Usha called the allegations “malicious and false” and claimed they were aimed at undermining her leadership and efforts to improve Indian sports. On Sunday, she criticized dissenting council members for prioritizing personal power and financial gain over the good of the sport.

In a press release, Usha on Sunday alleged that several of these EC members have questionable records, including allegations of gender bias and cases of sexual harassment against them.