Why P.T. Usha's role as IOA president might be her sternest test yet

As with her time on the track, expectations are high this time, too

73-Usha P.T. Usha | J. Suresh

The transition has been relatively smooth. Enough for P.T. Usha to flash that trademark smile at everyone present at Olympic Bhawan, headquarters of the Indian Olympic Association in Delhi. Dressed in a beige tussore salwar kameez with a smart floral jacket on a mild wintry Saturday, Usha walked into the history books once again—she became the first Olympian and woman to be IOA president. The 58-year-old, a multiple Asian Games gold medallist who came fourth in 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, ushers in an era of hope in Indian sport. An era where athletes administer the game, and do so for the betterment of Indian sport.

This was a race Usha ran alone—she was elected unopposed under the supervision of retired Supreme Court judge L. Nageswara Rao, whom the apex court appointed. The International Olympic Committee was following the election keenly; it had warned the IOA of a possible suspension if elections were not held by December. The elections were due in December 2021, but were delayed as a new constitution had to be drawn up. This constitution included changes the Supreme Court had recommended, which miffed many longtime administrators.

Usha, currently a BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha member, will have her hands full. According to the new structure outlined in the constitution, she will require a CEO to run daily affairs—the post of the powerful secretary general has been scrapped. Elections were held for the post of joint secretary (female) and four executive council members. The veteran sports administrators were missing, but they are expected to provide “guidance” from the background. Interestingly, the Equestrian Federation of India and the Yachting Association of India, facing multiple cases regarding their constitution and conduct, were relegated as associate members and had no voting right.

“I am happy that today we have sportspersons in our executive council,” Usha said after taking over. “I never thought I would one day become an MP or IOA president, but the sportspersons and federations pushed me to stand for these elections.” She stressed that her tenure would be about “collective effort”.

Her joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey, also the All India Football Federation president, did most of the talking. He emphasised that there needed to be “more transparency” in the working and finances of the IOA.

Usha, used to the pressure of expectations during her days as a runner, will face similar scrutiny as an administrator. As will the new IOA committee, especially now that it has several athletes on board.

Former IOA secretary general Randhir Singh gave a thumbs up to the new-look IOA. “It augurs well for the Olympic movement in India that sportspersons are coming into sports administration,” he said. “This is very important.”

He shrugged off concerns that the new team lacked administrative experience, saying, “We are there for them. We will help them wherever needed, be it at the IOC (International Olympic Committee) or the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia). For me, it is much easier to deal with sportspersons as I have also been one.” Singh, a former Olympian shooter, said the new IOA team has to shed the old mentality of grovelling before federation bosses.

IOA vice president Gagan Narang, who won a shooting bronze at the London Olympics, said he was looking forward to his new role. Asked about his thoughts on the new group of administrators, he told THE WEEK: “Purely answering from an athlete’s perspective, when I was at the peak of my prowess, the only contact we had with the IOA was during the Games—Olympics or Asian. I hoped for a lot of logistical and support staff issues to be streamlined for better results. Though I have always claimed that I am a product of the system, as an athlete who played an individual sport, I had to manage a lot by myself. I had a small team to think for me, but not everyone was as fortunate. I would hope that there is ease of operations for every athlete who plays for India and the IOA understands an athlete better—physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Singh said the first thing the new group had to do was to get it out of their minds that they have to “control” the system. “You will have the CEO to handle day to day matters,” he pointed out.

Usha has said that things would not change overnight and that her team would look to settle down and take up one issue at a time. The old guard, meanwhile, is waiting and watching to see if the new group falters.

On challenges ahead, Narang said, “Every board has its challenges. A lot of us will understand what the hurdles are along the way and will prepare to leap. Right now, it is too early to list the challenges, but as an athlete I can say I have seen them come with opportunities. I believe sports administration is no different from life.”

Usha has brought glory to the nation with her exploits on the track. She has shouldered responsibility time and again, and has risen to the occasion. This, however, might be her sternest test yet.

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