International Golf Federation Strongly Objects to IOA’s Interference 

The International Golf Federation (IGF) has strongly objected to the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) interference in the Indian Golf Union (IGU) elections, calling it an overreach beyond the IOA’s jurisdiction. The IGF has also criticized the IOA’s recognition of a rival faction led by Harish Kumar Shetty, while declaring the legitimate election winner, Brijinder Singh, void.

In a strongly-worded letter to IOA President PT Usha, IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon reaffirmed the world body’s support for the Singh-led faction, which conducted its election on December 15 in New Delhi. The IGF also emphasized that the IOA has no authority over the IGU’s electoral process and demanded immediate rectification of the situation.

IGF’s Stand on the IGU Election Controversy

The dispute over the IGU elections emerged after two parallel elections were conducted under different Returning Officers (ROs).

  • Brijinder Singh was re-elected IGU president in an election overseen by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Rameshwar Malik at Tamarind Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
  • Harish Kumar Shetty was elected in a separate election conducted by retired Allahabad High Court judge OP Garg at a different location.

The IOA chose to recognize Shetty’s faction while declaring Singh’s election invalid, a move that the IGF has called unconstitutional and outside the IOA’s authority.

IGF Letter to IOA President PT Usha

In its official communication to PT Usha, Scanlon wrote:

“We write to object in the strongest terms to your interference and that of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the recent Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers of our National Federation member, the Indian Golf Union (IGU).”

The IGF reaffirmed that it fully supports the elections conducted on December 15 under Singh’s leadership, which it said were held in compliance with the IGU Constitution and the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.

“We have found no reason to question the legitimacy of the IGU Annual General Meeting and the election of office bearers held on 15 December 2024, and we recognize and fully support the office bearers announced by Returning Officer HJ Rameshwar Malik,” the letter stated.

The IGF further emphasized that the Sports Ministry had also backed Singh’s faction, further reinforcing the legitimacy of its election.

IOA’s Interference and IGF’s Objection

The IGF accused the IOA of actively undermining the IGU’s election process by recognizing a faction that held an “invalid” alternate election.

“We find it extraordinary that the IOA would actively undermine the IGU electoral process and facilitate a faction holding a non-constitutional and invalid alternate Annual General Meeting and elections at the premises of the IOA,” Scanlon stated.

The IGF noted that the IOA’s actions were in direct violation of the Olympic Charter, particularly Article 28, which prohibits National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from interfering in National Federation matters.

“The IGF-recognized executive body of the IGU, in accordance with Article 28 of the Olympic Charter, remains the member body for golf affiliated to the IOA. As such, recognizing another executive body not affiliated to the IGF is in direct contravention of the Olympic Charter. We strongly implore you to immediately rectify this matter,” Scanlon demanded.

Sports Ministry Also Calls Out IOA

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has also questioned the IOA’s decision to back the Shetty-led faction. The ministry, which plays a crucial role in ensuring fair governance in Indian sports federations, has ratified Singh’s election as the legitimate outcome.

This further places the IOA under scrutiny for what appears to be an unauthorized intervention in a federation’s internal matters.

IGF Criticizes Removal of Golf from National Games

In addition to objecting to the IOA’s interference in the IGU elections, the IGF also criticized the removal of golf from the ongoing National Games in India. The 38th All India Games did not feature golf, a move that Scanlon condemned as a politically motivated decision that harms Indian athletes.

“Notwithstanding your spurious intervention in the electoral process of the IGU, we are also extremely disappointed with your decision to remove golf from the programme of sports at the 38th All India Games,” he wrote.

Scanlon accused the IOA of placing political motives above athlete development, highlighting that Article 27.2.2 of the Olympic Charter mandates NOCs to promote high-performance sports, not suppress them.

“Your actions serve to punish the athletes for political purposes and are in direct conflict with Article 27.2.2 of the Olympic Charter, which states that the role of an NOC is ‘to encourage the development of high-performance sport’. This decision does nothing but discourage high-performance golf athletes in India,” Scanlon wrote.

He urged the IOA to reconsider its decision and reinstate golf in the National Games.

IGF Escalates the Matter to the International Olympic Committee

Frustrated with the IOA’s handling of the situation, the IGF has escalated the matter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The world body wants the IOC to take cognizance of the IOA’s actions, which it claims are against Olympic values.

“The IGF is guided by and believes strongly in the values of Olympism. It is regrettable that we find ourselves in disagreement with the IOA and that you have chosen to act without mutual understanding and respect for the Olympic Charter and for our athletes and National Federation,” Scanlon stated.

“As such, we have been compelled to copy the International Olympic Committee on this letter so that they are aware of your inappropriate actions.”

This escalation means that the IOC could now intervene if the IOA fails to rectify its position regarding both the IGU elections and the exclusion of golf from the National Games.

What Happens Next?

With the IGF and the Sports Ministry backing Brijinder Singh, the IOA now faces mounting pressure to reverse its decision on the IGU elections.

  1. The IOA must clarify its position: With the IGF and Sports Ministry opposing its move, the IOA must justify why it backed Shetty’s faction and not the constitutionally elected Singh-led body.
  2. Potential IOC intervention: If the IOA does not comply, the IOC could step in, leading to potential consequences for India’s Olympic representation.
  3. Reinstating golf in the National Games: The IGF has made it clear that golf’s exclusion from the 38th All India Games was unjustified. The IOA may have to reconsider its stance to avoid further backlash.

Final Thoughts

The IOA’s interference in the IGU elections has sparked a major controversy, drawing strong objections from the International Golf Federation and India’s Sports Ministry. By recognizing Harish Kumar Shetty’s faction and disregarding the legally conducted election of Brijinder Singh, the IOA has been accused of violating the Olympic Charter.

The IGF has demanded immediate correction and taken the matter to the International Olympic Committee, escalating tensions between the Indian Olympic Association and international sports governing bodies.With mounting pressure, the IOA now faces a critical decision—rectify its stance or risk further scrutiny from the IOC. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how this dispute unfolds and whether Indian golf can recover from this governance crisis.

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