New Delhi, May 8: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Friday removed Col Ashok Yadav (Retd) from the ad-hoc committee running the affairs of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) with infighting and disagreements within the panel cited as the likely reason for the move.
The ad-hoc panel was constituted by the IOA on March 27 following a February 18 Delhi High Court order directing fresh elections in EFI and asking the Olympic association to appoint an interim body to oversee the federation’s functioning. The panel was headed by Yashodhara Raje Scindia and also included Francisco Lima, advocate Vidushpat Singhania and Col Ashok Yadav.
In an office order issued by IOA president PT Usha, the top sports body said it had received “numerous representations and complaints” regarding the conduct and functioning of Yadav, who was serving as member (Administration) in the panel.
Yadav, however, alleged that he was removed because he objected to what he described as attempts to favour certain riders and bypass laid-down rules.
“There is a rider Raju Singh from Madya Pradesh Equestrian academy. He appeared in an FEI Eventing tournament during April 23-25 in UK. The rules require that the riders need to inform EFI that they are participating in so and so event and it needs to be considered as his trial. He did not do that,” Yadav said.
“Adhiraj Singh, the chief technical advisor, appointed without consultation, later wanted us to consider his case because he had achieved the MER but we refused. Why should we favour one rider over others? Rules are same for everyone,” he added.
Yadav also claimed that differences within the panel escalated after Adhiraj Singh allegedly amended the selection rules. He further claimed that chairperson Yashodhara Raje Scindia had at one stage left the Committee’s WhatsApp groups and threatened to resign. (PTI)
