Breather ! International Olympic Committee Resumes Funding To India Under Olympic Solidarity Programme

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to resume its funding to India under the Olympic Solidarity Programme a year after halting it, acknowledging the IOA’s “corrective measures” to resolve internal disputes and governance issues.

The Executive Board of the IOC had last year stopped the yearly grant of Rs 15 crore (Rs 10.5 million) meant for athlete development programmes in the wake of the prolonged infighting during which 12 Executive Council members of the IOA refused to ratify the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as the body’s CEO, citing his high salary.

But, following an intervention by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, a truce was called on July 24 this year between IOA President P T Usha and the revolting EC members who are in majority.

A Special General Body Meeting (SGM) was also held later to formally approve India’s bid for 2030 Commonwealth Games.

“We took note of the various steps and corrective measures that have been taken over the past few weeks to resolve the internal disputes and governance issues within your NOC (National Olympic Committee),” stated a letter to Usha from IOC’s NOC Relations and Olympic Solidarity Director James Macleod.

“…all outstanding internal issues and misunderstandings were discussed in a constructive and transparent manner within your NOC Executive Committee and it was collectively agreed to move forward and work together in a spirit of unity and harmony,” he noted in the letter.

Macleod cited ratification of Iyer’s appointment as a positive step.

“…the appointment of your NOC CEO, Mr Raghuram lyer, was formally ratified by decision of your NOC Executive Committee on 24 July 2025; and your NOC General Assembly was held successfully on 13 August 2025, during which the pending reports and audited financial statements were formally approved.