IOA SGM postponed following president Usha''s directive

New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) The Special General Meeting of the Indian Olympic Association, scheduled for October 25, was on Wednesday postponed with president P T Usha and majority of executive council remaining at loggerheads.

The IOA has been grappling with intense infighting since the Paris Olympics with most members of the Executive Council accusing Usha of misgovernance within the association.

IOA director George Mathew informed the executive council and other stakeholders about the postponement following a directive from under-fire IOA president P T Usha.

"As directed by the President IOA, I am to inform you that the Special General Meeting convened by the President IOA, originally scheduled for October 25 at Olympic Bhavan New Delhi, has been rescheduled to a later date," Mathew wrote in his email.

"The new date and time of SGM will be communicated shortly. We apologise for inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding." However, shortly after the letter without the new SGM date was shared with the stakeholders, joint secretary and "acting CEO" Kalyan Chaubey shot off an official communication to the members of State Olympic Associations and athletes commission that the SGM has been postponed to November 10.

"Kindly be informed that due to unavoidable circumstances, the Special General Meeting has been posted to 10th November at the same time and venue," wrote Chaubey in his email.

Earlier this month, Usha had called the SGM to address contentious issues, including the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer and complaints of corruption against treasurer Sahdev Yadav.

Usha has been at loggerheads with a majority of EC members on all these issues.

Iyer's appointment is the most talked about issue as it is being aggressively resisted by EC members on account of his pay package and suitability for the job.

Apart from Iyer, the other issues on the agenda would be alleged ineligibility of some EC members to hold their positions.

The anonymous complaint has claimed that they are in violation of the National Sports Code which places a cap on the age and tenure of office-bearers. PTI BS KHS