IOA President PT Usha raises concerns over Draft National Sports Governance Bill

Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha has raised concerns about some provisions of Draft National Sports Governance Bill, saying a regulatory authority proposed by it will undermine autonomy of IOA and national federations, putting country at risk of an international suspension.

In a letter to sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Usha also stated that bill does not provide clarity on role of State Olympic Associations (SOAs), reby undermining process of decentralising sports governance.

Her larger concern is, however, autonomy of IOA and National Sports Federations (NSFs) if a Sports Regulatory Board of India, which would oversee ir functioning, becomes operational as proposed by bill.

"While this may strengn governance and prevent ministrative issues such as corruption or mismanagement, it raises concerns about autonomy of sports bodies, particularly IOA, NSFs, and SOAs," she said.

"Historically, autonomy of se organisations has been a key principle in international sports governance, with IOC particularly strict about independence of national Olympic committees from government interference," she ded.

Usha was present at a meeting conducted by Mandaviya with stakeholders of on Thursday.

draft bill, which has been opened for public feedback till October 25, has found support from most of long-serving ministrators. bill seeks to relax cap on age and tenure of office-bearers.

sprint legend claimed that regulatory authority has been granted extensive powers to control functioning of IOA and NSFs.

authority's brief would be to ensure compliance with good governance, and financial practices within NSFs and it would have power to decide on grant of recognition to se bodies.

"This may le to a conflict between government and international sports governance bodies, particularly IOC, which has previously suspended many National Olympic committees for excessive governmental interference," she reasoned.

Recalling international suspension that India endured after 2012 London olympics due to government interference in IOA's functioning, Usha said a similar sanction cannot be ruled out once again.

"It is crucial that government balances regulatory oversight with preservation of autonomy in line with international standards, especially to avoid potential conflicts with IOC.

"dressing se issues in final version of bill will certainly help ensure its successful implementation and international acceptance," she said.

Usha is currently locked in a bitter turf war with Executive Council of IOA which has been demanding removal of CEO Raghuram Iyer, her preferred choice for position.

EC has threatened to bring a no confidence motion against her in an upcoming Special General Meeting on October 25.

Some of EC members like vice president Gagan Narang and Kalyan Chaubey have backed bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon.