The Hindu Editorial Analysis - PT Usha and the Future of IOA

Table of Contents

How Today’s The Hindu Editorial Analysis is Relevant for UPSC?

Today’s The Hindu Editorial Analysis is related to Sports Administration in India. It covers both UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains (GS Paper – 2).

Why PT Usha in News?

The legendary Indian Athlete PT Usha has recently elected as the first woman president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Who is PT Usha?

PT Usha is a 58-year-old Indian Athlete.
She is a multiple Asian Games gold medallist and fourth place finisher in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 400m hurdles final.
She is fondly known as the ‘Payyoli Express’.
She has also been nominated for Rajya Sabha this year.
She has declared elected unopposed for the top post in the IOA polls.

How these IOA Polls Special?

IOA Elections this time are held as per the amended IOA constitution that puts greater thrust on bringing sportspersons in the administrative role, besides having reserve seats for female administrators ( four of the 15 IOA office bearers must be female members).
The elections had been overseen by returning officer Umesh Sinha, former secretary general Election Commission of India.
The elections were held under the supervision of Supreme Court-appointed retired SC judge L Nageswara Rao.

Why PT Usha’s Elevation as IOA President is important for the Future of Indian Sports ?

The elevation of PT Usha to the top job marked an end to the long drawn crisis in the faction-ridden IOA, which was warned of a possible suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if elections are not held this month.
The IOA has been mired in controversy for a long time. In fact, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned the IOA in 2012 for government interference and corruption.
Like much of the developing world, the story of Indian sports frequently gets marred by neglect, nepotism and corruption. Politicians’ interference in sporting bodies has also led to the athletes’ issues taking the backseat.
In this landscape, PT Usha has become the first Olympian and the first international medallist to head the IOA in its 95-year-old history.
After retirement, she was actively involved in athletics as a coach and mentor for budding Indian athletes.
Drawing from her own experiences and the challenges with the lack of facilities and exposure, she opened the Usha School of Athletics. Under her guidance, athletes such as Kerala’s Tintu Luka and Jisna Matthews have excelled, even making it to the Olympic stage.
She has also been vocal about various issues concerning athletes in India.
She has routinely talked about the state of Indian sports administration, and how the lack of scouting, grooming and talent management has led to India’s historically disappointing show at the Olympics.

An Unprecedented Time in IOA’s History

PT Usha has became the first Olympian and first international medalist to head the IOA in its 95-year-old history, adding another feather in her cap after dominating Indian and Asian athletics for two decades before retiring in 2000 with a bagful of international medals.
Usha is also the first sportsperson to have represented the country and also become IOA chief since Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, who played a Test match in 1934. Singh was the third IOA president who held office from 1938 to 1960.
Olympic medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and archer Dola Banerjee are in the executive council as male and female representatives of the eight Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM).
At least five of the 16 executive council members (including IOC member in India, Nita Ambani), are former sports persons, which is unprecedented in the IOA history.
Legendary boxer MC Mary Kom and table tennis great Achanta Sharath Kamal are also part of the executive council by virtue of being president and vice president of the Athletes Commission.

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FAQs

Q. Who has become the first Olympian and first international medalist to head the IOA?

Ans. PT Usha has became the first Olympian and first international medalist to head the IOA.

Q. Who was the first sportsperson to have represented the country and also become IOA chief?

Ans. PT Usha is the first sportsperson to have represented the country and also become IOA chief since Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, who played a Test match in 1934. Singh was the third IOA president who held office from 1938 to 1960.

Q. Which Indian Athelet is also known as ‘Payyoli Express’?

Ans. PT Usha is fondly known as the ‘Payyoli Express’.