Latest news with #IOA
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IOA calls SGM to approve CWG 2030 bid
New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has called a Special General Meeting to be held on August 13, seeking the approval of members to submit a bid for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games. IOA President P.T. Usha talks with Chief Executive Officer Raghuram Iyer during a joint press conference in New Delhi. (AP) The SGM notice has been issued by CEO Raghuram Iyer, whose appointment was ratified last week after a long internal tussle. This is the first notice to be issued by Iyer. He has listed three agenda items for the meeting. It includes 'approval to submit a bid to Commonwealth Sport (federation) for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India, including any incidental actions therewith.' The other agenda is the consideration and passing of audited statement of accounts for the financial year 2023-24 and the appointment of statutory auditor for financial year 2024-25. India has formally submitted its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, which will prepare the ground for the 2036 Olympics that India is bidding to host. An Indian delegation led by IOA president PT Usha met Commonwealth Sport officials in London in June to discuss the bidding process. The CWG 2030 host is likely to be announced at the end of the year. 'A number of countries have expressed interest for CWG 2030 and it's an ongoing process,' according to CGF Sports Committee member Lt Gen (retd.) Harpal Singh, who is also an IOA executive committee member. 'There is a general assembly in the last week of November in Glasgow where hopefully there will be an announcement of 2030 host in line with the CWG reset programme,' he told a media interaction on Thursday. New Delhi staged the 2010 CWG. The 2026 CWG is being held in Glasgow with a curtailed sports programme. 'After Australia (Victoria) pulled out of the 2026 Games, a lot of debate went on the reset of CWG. A four-member committee was made. We are working on giving it. Sports programme for 2030 will be based on long term legacy, sustainability, flexibility in terms of regional appeal and host nations. We are hopeful and optimistic that the 2030 Games will come to India,' he added. With the infighting in IOA resolved, the pending financial bills will be taken up for approval. The national federations – two representatives with one vote each, the IOC member in India, two representatives of the Athletes Commission and eight representing Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit will have the right to vote, as per IOA constitution. 'Representatives of Associate Members (State/UT Olympic Associations), Sports Control Board, besides other NSFs not mentioned in article 10.1 may also attend the SGM but shall not have a right to vote.' The names of the representatives will have to be sent to the IOA by August 5. This is the first SGM called since the meeting of October 25 last year which was put off due to the standoff between Usha and the EC members.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Sudden buzz around Indian sport mostly box-ticking
Much activity whirled around Indian sport last week – the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 (NSGB) was tabled in parliament, a new National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 made its appearance too and the 19-month ruckus in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) between president PT Usha and the executive council – over the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer – suddenly dissolved, Usha brushing everything off as 'small internal disputes'. The 19-month ruckus in the IOA between president PT Usha and the executive council – over the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer – dissolved last week. (PTI) At an IOA briefing, there were glimpses of what drove the developments and the bonhomie. IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey, also president of the beleaguered All India Football Federation (AIFF), said IOA's vision was 'to ensure India wins the bid' (to host the 2036 Olympics). He said, IOA would do 'whatever required – that comes with athlete development… good governance… better infrastructure facilities developed… educate athletes in terms of anti-doping… NADA needs to be more equipped to hold more sessions… ensure more sports conclaves… better coordination with all the stakeholders… Whatever is essential to host a big event I think IOA should do and will do.' Promising, forward thinking, a new dawn for Indian sport, etc. Excuse please, hold the beer, sorry, protein shake, because other kinds of news is disturbing this positivity. Qatar formally launched its Olympics2036 bid with a 16-page press kit saying 95 percent of its Olympic venues were 'already in place and tested at the highest level'. Its Instagram reel then showed visuals from the 2022 FIFA World Cup and world championships in athletics (2019), swimming (2024), artistic gymnastics (2025) and the 2025 table tennis world championships finals – all held in Doha, Qatar's 2036 candidate city. In the past ten years, India's list of global sports events hosted is thus: two men's (zero women's) hockey World Cups in Odisha, two shooting World Cup Finals in New Delhi and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. Last week, alongside Chaubey's rah-rah and Doha2036's Instareel came word that only six of 12 Indian badminton players could compete at the World University Games – because Association of Indian Universities (AIU) officials had not submitted a complete list. Then, according to an India Today report, an unnamed player said AIU officials, angry about their public outing, threatened players saying their 'careers will end once we return to India'. Then two more female runners didn't find their name on the start list – totalling eight Indians who couldn't compete at the Universiade due to official carelessness. The AIU suspended its joint secretary Baljit Singh Sekhon but opportunities are already lost. Chaubey's careful listing of the 'essentials' to host 'a big event' is like investing in sandcastles. Indian sport needs these elements to actually nourish its ecosystem from the roots – like cleaning up the damn beach to start with. This sudden buzz around Indian sport is mostly a rapid box-ticking – because that's what IOA was told needed to be addressed when its delegation met the International Olympic Committee (IOC) early this month. The meeting was meant to present – sans public discussion - Ahmedabad's 2036 candidacy. Instead, IOA was told to sort out its in-fighting, address India's proliferation of dope positives and up its sporting performance. Therefore, the IOA peace summit and the push for the two bills around sports governance and anti-doping. Improving athletic performance will mean IOA and national sporting federations (NSF) focusing on athletes over 'big events', so let's not hold our breaths. There lie reveals in the new NSGB as well. It aims for structural changes in how Indian sport is run and creates an independent regulatory body. The National Sports Board is meant to take over overseeing NSF operations from the government. Plus, sporting disputes will now be handled by a National Sports Tribunal, not the civil courts. (As of February, our courts list 217 ongoing sports cases.) Reasonable ideas both. But let's compare the October 2024 draft of the governance bill released for public feedback with what is now in parliament. To start with the NSGB25 is a pared down version of the draft – 9,243 bill-specific words to the draft's detailed 16,210. A simple draft read through shows the clause about at least one female vice-president in IOA's EC has gone missing from NSGB. Surprise, surprise. Now quibbling, but the 'at least 30%' women clause in this 15-member EC has been turned into a 'minimum of four' (26.6%). One less woman's the better, I suppose. The clause that an office-bearer could serve no more than two consecutive terms – on average eight years – in any post is now three terms, followed by a four-year cooling off. That's twelve years, plus there is no maximum number of terms – the candy clause for all sports administrators under 65. Only when an individual crosses 70 at the time of filing nominations for an election will their side careers as sports officials cease. Setting term limits on return post cooling was argued as stifling the expertise and impact of Indian sports' admin brokers globally. Currently, outside of cricket, the Indians holding posts ('cooling off') in international federations are Adille Sumariwalla, vice-president of World Athletics, Malav Shroff, president Asian Sailing Federation and Virendra Nanavati, bureau member World Aquatics. Neeraj Chopra & Ors gives Sumariwalla a pass of sorts but Shroff and Nanavati's international 'influence' has created zero ripple in home waters. NSGB means groundhogs and their days will return. The 'autonomy' of sports federations has ensured the NSGB axe for draft clauses that had seemed appropriate for India's politically interwoven sporting system. This is the deleted clause: 'An individual shall be disqualified from being an Individual Member or a representative of a Voting Member (in an NOC/NSF) upon conviction of an offence and being sentenced for a period of more than 2 (two) years.' Whereas, even under the Constitution, anyone convicted and sentenced for two years cannot contest elections for six years. But Indian sport is a free-for-all anyway, so why can't convicted individuals get a clear run here, eh? There's big events to be conducted.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
IOA Athletes Commission eyes fresh start
New Delhi: With the Indian Olympic Association getting back to business, the defunct Athletes Commission (AC) is also showing signs of revival. IOA Athletes Commission vice-chairpersonSharath Kamal. (AP) The IOA AC, headed by MC Mary Kom, was formed with much fanfare to become the voice of athletes in federations but there was hardly any activity in the past 18 months as the turmoil within the IOA took centrestage. The AC, which has some of India's most decorated athletes, will now reach out to federations to name their athletes' representatives. AC vice-chairperson Sharath Kamal said their first task is to ask National Sports Federations to forward names of two athletes who can liaison with them. 'One thing on the agenda is to try and activate as many as AC with different NSFs. If any federation doesn't not have an athletes commission yet, they can at least give us two representatives who can communicate with IOA AC,' Sharath told HT. 'We also had discussions on beginning athlete centric programmes that's been part of the Olympic movement. We will clearly have a pathway on how we go about in coming years,' said the table tennis star. IOA AC will be looking to put up systems in place to provide mental health support to athletes and career-transition guidances. It has also charted a campaign to be launched on Aug 29 -- the National Sports Day -- to take sport to the masses. India's elite athletes, Olympians and retired sports persons will be engaged in the drive. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) puts a lot of emphasis on having an active athletes commission in every National Olympic Committee so that their voices can be heard. The AC, therefore, is considered a crucial link between the athletes, federations and the Olympic movement to ensure that the athletes viewpoint remains at the heart of every decision. Every IOC commission has athletes committee representation. The IOA will also have to ensure that its athletes committee members are included in its panels so that they can bring out the perspective of athletes. To run its various programmes, the AC would need financial grants. The IOA finances were in freeze due to the tussle. However, it is now hoping to get the grants from IOA and the clearances from the executive council to avail the grants from IOC and Olympic Council of Asia. Winter Olympic legend Shiva Keshavan, who is member of the IOA AC and also the vice-chair of the Athletes Committee in the OCA, says that it is important for the athletes' voice to be taken on board at all levels as the key stakeholders of the Olympic movement. 'An active athletes commission is required to ensure that decision making remains athlete centric, I'm glad to see immediate steps being taken in this regard' Shiva told HT. 'As athlete representatives, we also have a duty towards peers with much to do to improve the athlete experience, including setting up safeguarding policies, anti-doping education, career transition pathways and much more.' The commission is like a support system for the athletes. It provides support to athletes with their physical and mental well-being, enhances safeguarding measures, protects athletes rights to clean and fair competition among other key objectives. IOC Athletes' Commission (AC) recently hosted the International Athletes' Forum (IAF) in Lausanne in June. Sharath represented ITTF while Keshavan came from OCA. India's (IOA) AC was also represented by Rani Rampal and Om Prakash Singh Karhana. 'I have learned a lot at ITTF and at the IOC athletes forum,' said Sharath. 'As a player we only looked at the technical part. Now I am having a completely different view, on how the sport can grow, on the business of sports, on athletes development etc,' said Sharath.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sports Bill will bring transparency and reform to federations: Gagan Narang
New Delhi: Olympic medallist-turned-sports administrator Gagan Narang believes the National Sports Governance Bill will usher in much-needed transparency and reforms in the functioning of National Sports Federations (NSFs). Olympic medallist-turned-sports administrator Gagan Narang believes the National Sports Governance Bill will usher in transparency. (Getty Images) 'It's a forward-looking, futuristic bill that can significantly transform the sporting ecosystem in the country. It will help athletes perform better by allowing them to focus with the right mindset,' Narang told HT. A key feature of the Bill is the creation of a National Sports Tribunal, intended to resolve disputes involving federations. Currently, there are multiple sports-related litigations across various courts in India, which has become a major administrative bottleneck. 'The Bill will address all legal issues plaguing federations. Also, if an athlete has a dispute, there will be a resolution committee in place. That means athletes can focus on their sport without the burden of legal battles,' said Narang, the bronze medallist in 10m air rifle at the 2012 London Olympics. After a long decorated career where he won an Olympic medal, a World Championships medal (2010, Munich,) and secured multiple podium finishes at Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Narang has switched to sports administration. He serves as vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and is also a member of the IOA's Athletes' Commission. In addition, he is part of the Mission Olympic Cell, which approves programmes for the country's top elite athletes. Having taken on multiple roles in sports administration, Narang believes that most issues can be resolved with the right intent and perspective. With his growing experience, he is quickly developing key administrative skills. Narang emphasised that the Bill's transparency measures, including making NSFs accountable under Right to Information (RTI) Act, are a step in the right direction. 'The governance structure will be clearer and more accountable. Most importantly, disputes will no longer derail an athlete's career.' He acknowledged that implementing structural change at the federation level will be challenging, but necessary. 'The key is to establish a governance framework. Once that's in place, we can build around it. Change won't be easy, but it's crucial for the betterment of Indian sport. Implementing these reforms is a step in the right direction.' He welcomed the Bill's provisions for grievance redressal mechanisms and inclusion of athlete and women representatives in the executive councils of federations. 'Athlete representation on executive boards will ensure athlete-centric programs. Women's participation is vital too — not just athletes, but also women coaches and administrators. The grievance redressal mechanism will finally have a structured form.' 'The government is respecting the autonomy of federations while ensuring ethics, fairness, and accountability. It strikes the right balance between freedom and responsibility. Our sports minister (Mansukh Mandaviya) spent long hours with top federation officials to discuss India's sporting vision and it reflects the government's serious intent and commitment to long-term development in sports,' he added. Narang said the Bill could play a foundational role as India prepares its bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. 'This is our moment. The Bill provides a platform to build the kind of governance infrastructure needed to support our athletes and help them perform at their best on the world stage.' On the recent resolution of internal differences within the IOA, Narang expressed optimism. 'It's a very good restart. Whether it was the Asian Games, the successful conduct of two National Games, or preparation for the Paris Olympics — the IOA always presented a united front. There were never any differences when it came to sports and athlete development. Whatever minor differences existed have now been resolved.' 'A little difference of opinion is healthy in any democratic setup. Now it's time to move forward and focus on the work ahead of us.' As a member of IOA Athletes Commission, Narang is gearing up to launch various educational programmes for athletes.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Finally, truce in IOA as CEO appointment ratified by EC
CHENNAI: IN the end it seems like much ado about nothing. Finally, all the factions in the Indian Olympic Association seems to have buried the hatchet. The Executive Committee has ratified the appointment of Chief Executive Officer Raghuram Iyer on Thursday. The appointment of CEO Iyer in January last year led to the majority of the EC members objecting to it and alleged that the IOA president had decided on this unilaterally without the consent of the EC. More than 10 EC members has signed a letter objecting to it. Just over eight months, the IOA seems be an unified lot. IOA president PT Usha said on Thursday that everything has been sorted and the CEO appointment has been ratified which the EC members had objected then. "Everything is sorted out, that is why the CEO (Iyer) is sitting with me," she said during a press meet in New Delhi. Getting the house in order seemed to be their priority after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had warned India that their 2036 Olympic bid without a strong National Olympic Committee might not be favouring them. In quite a few replies to this newspaper, the IOC kept reiterating their position of a united house. Interestingly, the CEO appointment had been accepted by the IOC last year itself. Even before the ratification, the CEO had been part of almost all important meetings involving the IOA including the Paris Olympics, IOC headquarters in Lausanne and Commonwealth Sports. Joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey, who during the days of revolt had proclaimed himself as acting CEO quite a few times and had been rude to the IOA president also seemed at peace when he said they are now looking forward in the interest of the nation.
