IGF Opposes IOA Interference : IGF Raises Concerns Over IOA's Influence in IGU Elections, Endorses Brijinder Singh Council

New Delhi, Feb 5 (NationPress) The International Golf Federation (IGF) has raised serious objections against the Indian Olympic Association's interference in the elections of the Indian Golf Union and has acknowledged the office bearers led by Brijinder Singh, who received ratification from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The IOA had previously recognized a competing faction of the IGU led by Harish Kumar Shetty after a disputed election process.

In a letter directed to IOA President PT Usha, IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon expressed full support for the Singh-led faction's election, asserting that the IOA has no authority over the IGU annual general meeting or its electoral procedures.

Scanlon stated, "We write to express our strongest objections to your interference and that of the Indian Olympic Association in the recent Annual General Meeting and the election of office bearers of our National Federation member, the Indian Golf Union (IGU)."

Two separate elections were held for the IGU's governing council, each overseen by different returning officers. The elections conducted by the Shetty faction were presided over by retired Allahabad High Court judge OP Garg, while Singh was re-elected in polls overseen by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Rameshwar Malik.

Scanlon noted, "The IGF has found no grounds to dispute the legitimacy of the IGU Annual General Meeting and the election of office bearers held on December 15, 2024, at Tamarind Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi (where Singh was elected president) and believes they adhered to the constitution and the procedures outlined in the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.

He added, "As such, we recognize and fully support the office bearers announced by the Returning Officer HJ Rameshwar Singh Malik and ratified by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. We maintain that neither the IOA nor you as President of the IOA possess any jurisdiction over the IGU Annual General Meeting or its electoral process.

Further, Scanlon labeled the Shetty-led faction's election as "non-constitutional and invalid."

He emphasized, "It is astonishing that the IOA would actively undermine the IGU electoral process and support a faction that held a non-constitutional and invalid alternate annual general meeting and elections at IOA premises. Your interference has wrongly recognized this faction's elections, undermining the credibility of the constitutionally elected IGU executive."

Consequently, Scanlon stated, "The IGF-recognized executive body of the IGU, in accordance with Article 28 of the Olympic Charter, remains the member body for golf affiliated with the IOA. Recognizing another executive body, not affiliated with the IGF, directly contravenes the Olympic Charter. We strongly urge you to rectify this situation immediately."

Additionally, the IGF executive director criticized the IOA for removing golf from the event list of the ongoing 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, arguing that this action punishes high-performance golf athletes across the country.

He remarked, "Despite your unwarranted interference in the electoral process of the IGU, we are highly disappointed with your decision to exclude golf from the program of sports at the 38th All India Games."

Scanlon elaborated, "This decision does nothing but hinder high-performance golf athletes in India. The IGF implores you to reconsider this choice and prioritize the athletes' interests over personal and political agendas."

Concluding, he expressed, "The IGF strongly believes in the values of Olympism and it is unfortunate that we find ourselves at odds with the IOA. Your actions lack mutual understanding and respect for the Olympic Charter and for our athletes and National Federation. We felt compelled to inform the International Olympic Committee regarding your inappropriate actions."