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 best way for Raghu Iyer’s appointment as CEO, a cost that the legendary athlete termed “shameful”. Usha had issued an official assertion on January 6 concerning the appointment of Iyer as CEO however 12 out of 15 EC members stated that former Rajasthan Royals’ chief government’s recruitment “hasn’t been ratified” by the apex physique.

“… 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, said.

“We found the manner in which you conducted the proceedings to inappropraite and not befitting of our institution.” The letter was signed by all of the EC members aside from Usha, herself, Olympic medallist Mary Kom and ace paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal. It have to be talked about that Sharath is an energetic athlete.

Those who signed included senior vp Ajay Patel, treasurer Sahadev Yadav, vice-presidents Raj Laxmi Deo and Gagan Narang, and one other 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 additionally alleged that Usha “unilaterally” selected the CEO’s wage and perks, which might be a whopping Rs 3 crore each year.

“We also requested you to give us 7-10 days time to review and negotiate the CEO’s salary before any decision was to be made. You chose to ignore all our requests, jumped the gun and unilaterally informed the press about the appointment of the CEO and also unilaterally declared what the CEO’s salary would be RS 20 lakh per month plus allowances, which brings the total CTC to around Rs 3 crore per annum.

“The communication with the press and the negotiation of compensation was carried out with none session with or determination by the EC.” Usha replied to the letter and asserted that the appointment of CEO was discussed at length in the EC meeting and the majority of the members present “ratified” the appointment of Iyer.

“During the Emergency EC assembly held at Olympic Bhavan on 05 Jan 2024, the appointment of CEO was mentioned at size below the Agenda Point No 2 (Governance Issues) and nearly all of the members current, except Lt Gen Harpal Singh (Retd), Shri Gagan Narang, and Shri Yogeshwar Dutt, had expressed settlement with the Nomination Committee’s selection and ratified the identify of Shri Raghuram Iyer as CEO for IOA,” she said.

“It is a matter of nice disgrace that, on the day the CEO has taken formal cost, sure members of the Executive Council have raised issues and objections to those selections.” Usha, a celebrated former athlete and also a Rajya Sabha member, also said that the International Olympic Committe may even contemplate suspension of the IOA.

“The mixed determination of the bulk was subsequently communicated to the IOC. This course of was undertaken with transparency and in accordance with the democratic rules that govern our esteemed group,” she said in her reply.

Usha warned members that this kind of precedence would lead to suspension of the national Olympic body.

“Any makes an attempt to now disrupt the functioning of the workplace of the CEO for IOA shall have an antagonistic influence on the credibility of IOA. The IOC board could even ponder suspension of the IOA for non-implementation of the provisions of the IOA’s Constitution…….” The members asked Usha to keep the “onboarding of the CEO in abeyance till the EC has had an opportunity to deliberate, take into account and evaluate the matter”.

“For the aim of this determination to be made, we are going to have to be offered satisfactory details about the present budgetary and monetary situation of IOA, particulars concerning the choice course of, the candidates thought-about, and the idea on which the short-listing determination was made.

“We would also like to bring to your attention that upon the public announcement of the CEO, we have received multiple concerning reports regarding the prior employment track record of the short-listed candidate.

“Kindly tell us whether or not a due diligence and background test was carried out by the IOA and please share of the copy of the identical in order that we are able to perceive whether or not these stories have any foundation.” It must be mentioned that Iyer was Rajasthan Royals CEO when the infamous IPL spot-fixing scandal broke in 2013.

On this, Usha said, “The EC members current on the assembly, except Mr. Sharath Kamal, had really useful a renegotiation of the remuneration mounted for the CEO citing the explanations of lack of funding on the IOA.

“You would have noticed that the remuneration was reduced by over 30% of the earlier agreed pay.” Iyer was appointed IOA CEO, a 12 months after it was due and following repeated reminders from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The CEO can be an ex-officio member of the Executive Council with out voting rights. He shouldn’t be an elected member however a salaried official.

Iyer had additionally served as CEO of IPL facet Rising Pune Supergiants.