IOA urges IGU to stick to ideas of fine governance, Olympic constitution
New Delhi: Indian Golf Union (IGU), the governing physique of sport in India, is at loggerheads with the Indian Olympic Affiliation (IOA) over the appointment of Returning Officer (RO) within the run-up to IGU elections, scheduled on December 15.
A day after IGU’s Basic Council introduced the appointment of retired Sikkim Excessive Court docket decide Permod Kohli because the RO instead of Justice (retd) OP Garg of Allahabad Excessive Court docket, IOA shot a letter every to Kohli and the IGU, directing the federation to conduct the election underneath the supervision of Justice Garg.
Justice Garg was named RO when IGU introduced its polls final month. Hassle started when he suspended 5 army-controlled State Golf Associations (SGAs) – Himachal Pradesh Proam Golf Affiliation, Arunachal Pradesh Golf Affiliation, Madhya Pradesh Golf Affiliation, Nagaland Golf Affiliation and Sikkim State Golf Affiliation – on November 25 for not producing the requisite paperwork, solely to reverse his order inside 24 hours.
Three days later, IGU introduced an indefinite postponement of the elections as a result of ‘resignation’ of Justice Garg. It has, nonetheless, been realized that Justice Garg had not resigned.
“As late as thirtieth November 2024, Mr Justice (Retd.) OP Garg has made it amply clear that he continues to be the Returning Officer of the continued election course of. As you’ll agree, there isn’t a motive why IGU would appoint separate Returning Officers for a similar election course of,” IOA president PT Usha mentioned in her letter to Justice Kohli, who can also be the chairperson of IOA’s Arbitration Fee.
“Along with the above, additionally it is necessary to convey to your discover that being the Chairperson of the everlasting standing committee (Arbitration Fee) of the Indian Olympic Affiliation, accepting an appointment because the Returning Officer of IGU might not be so as,” Usha added.
Urging the IGU to observe the ideas of fine governance and the IOC Constitution, Usha wrote, “I’ve additionally taken observe of assorted emails and letters which have expressed their concern over the appointment of the 2nd RO by the erstwhile President, IGU. We don’t need a scenario that as a result of these unlucky occasions an Advert-Hoc Committee must be appointed by the IOA to take over the affairs of the IGU.”
As per the election schedule, the ultimate record of nominations must be ready by December 5 and the ultimate record of contestants, put up scrutiny and withdrawals, needs to be readied by December 10. The polls shall be held on December 15.
