In this exclusive interview, Indian sprint legend and IOA President PT Usha opens up about the recent heated confrontation within the Indian Olympic Association regarding the controversial appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer. Usha shares her perspective on the internal disputes, the implications for India's Olympic aspirations, and her commitment to leading the IOA towards a brighter future. Don't miss her insights on the challenges facing Indian sports governance and the critical decisions that could impact India's bid for the 2036 Olympics.
#PTUsha #IOA #CEOAppointment #IndianOlympics #SportsGovernance #Olympics2026 #RaghuramIyer #Controversy #ExclusiveInterview #IndianSports #Leadership
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#PTUsha #IOA #CEOAppointment #IndianOlympics #SportsGovernance #Olympics2026 #RaghuramIyer #Controversy #ExclusiveInterview #IndianSports #Leadership
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NewsTranscript
00:00We have with us a sprint queen legend and now P.T. Usha Madam, President of the Indian Olympic Association.
00:07Thanks for talking with One India, this is S. Kannan.
00:10Ma'am, something about the massive confusion at the IOA meeting yesterday,
00:16where the ratification was supposed to be done for the CEO.
00:21Actually, whenever the new constitution says that within two months we have to appoint CEO,
00:27the norms are very high, like 10 years experience with a 25 crore turnover company should work.
00:36But earlier, within two months we advertised it, we couldn't get much people.
00:43We could get only three and these people are not, CC members are not allowed to take because only three members will get.
00:53And then whenever the CEO comes, they always don't allow me to do advertisement or anything,
01:02they want to change the constitution.
01:05But they tried without asking IOC, they announced the AGM,
01:10but when IOC came to know about AGM, about changing constitution,
01:14they said you cannot do without IOC permission.
01:18So they wrote to IOC for change of constitution about CEO norms,
01:26but they have not agreed about 10 years, 10 years experience it should be,
01:31but 25 crore things you can take out, but it should be done within one month.
01:37If one month if you cannot do, then you have to do the same whatever earlier.
01:43That type of letter they had sent IOC, but still again and again six months has gone,
01:48like the months are going just like that.
01:51So when IOC session, the Prime Minister announced this Olympic bid, 2036 Olympic bid.
02:02So Thomas Burke asked us why you are not appointing CEO,
02:07I think it went to PM office also, I think so,
02:11because we had a message from PM office that came that why you are not appointing CEO,
02:16again question had come.
02:17So after questioning everybody got up and they said we have to take CEO, CEO Bolke,
02:23then we have advertised it.
02:25After advertisement, 11 applications total had come, but 7 norms filled one.
02:30And this is actually there is a nomination committee for it,
02:34not me, I am not doing alone, I am not the one doing alone.
02:37I am IOA President and IOC member Mrs. Ambani,
02:41and Authority Commission member Mary Go, it's the nomination committee.
02:47We could get, we have, we shortly stand and 7, then we made it 5,
02:51and then we made it 3 with very, it's all recorded and very transparently weighted,
02:58and 2 we selected and got interviewed.
03:00And in that the require was the best one after interview.
03:05Then this one, then after that selecting this application, scrutinized and interviewed everything,
03:14we had kept it in the, I had kept it in the EC.
03:16EC, when it come to EC, again when it come to EC,
03:20every time when CEO things come, they don't allow us to do this.
03:25Every time they wanted acting CEO to be CEO.
03:27Once letter also had come from IOC that you cannot join secretary,
03:32cannot be acting CEO no more.
03:35They have written to us also.
03:37And then when it come to the EC session, this interviewed one,
03:43and they were, even that time also they were shouting,
03:46but I asked them whether you like Raghu Iyer or not.
03:50Each and everybody, that is the only video recorded one, only video,
03:54because they normally when I come to EC meeting,
03:57they don't allow me to video recording also.
03:59They don't allow to sit, to note somebody from outside also.
04:04Only EC members, they only note and whatever, after EC meeting,
04:10whatever they want to do change, they do change and they make it minutes.
04:14It's like that, but it's not good and cannot be done.
04:17And then what I did, I asked each and everybody individually,
04:22whether you like Raghu Iyer.
04:24They said that yeah, we like Raghu Iyer.
04:27I think only two said no, not no.
04:31They said that all EC members are not there.
04:36All EC members are not needed also.
04:39So...
04:40You have written to IOC on the subject?
04:42No, no, then what happened?
04:44They said okay, they are okay, only salary package.
04:47Then I said, what is the lower rate and what is the higher rate?
04:50And even Sharath Kamal also.
04:52Sharath Kamal has already in the nomination committee.
04:56So Sharath Kamal also asked me what is.
04:58But still these people didn't say anything about lower rate or higher rate.
05:02Then I went and because I am also EC, I went and negotiated
05:06and the appointment order has given to him and sent it to IOC and OCR.
05:10They were accepted also.
05:12So they were very happy and they started talking to us
05:15and even before CEO, we were not getting any IOC fund to IOA.
05:2415 crores rupees.
05:26That also they released and even they were started talking to us
05:31like host Olympic bid about dialogues.
05:37Two times we had.
05:38And even now also they were asking us to do
05:41because when you want to bid Olympics,
05:43it should be fully on professional way we have to approach.
05:47So for that CEO only have to do all those things.
05:50So these people, EC members even for them,
05:53they returned to us that they wanted CEO.
05:57Our office, the director that George or Mrinalini should become a CEO.
06:03How come it is possible to be this?
06:05This is India's apex body.
06:07They wanted the IOCs trying their best.
06:10So even I am sure that when this type of good CEO comes
06:14and we can be able to do so many things there.
06:17We have to do.
06:18So that is what happened.
06:20And even yesterday also the same thing.
06:23I couldn't.
06:24I tried my best.
06:25But I called the EC meeting only for ratification of salary.
06:31Why?
06:32Because last week OCR session,
06:35our IOC director Jerome also was there.
06:39He called the meeting.
06:40But it's not officially won.
06:42But when he was talking everything
06:44and they were mentioning about only salary.