As the first-ever woman president of the Indian Olympic Association, PT Usha is well aware of the power dynamics and challenges of leading a major sports organisation and breaking patriarchal notions. It’s no surprise, then, that she welcomed the election of Kirsty Coventry as the new International Olympic Committee president on Thursday night.
“I am very happy that she has become the first woman president. I hope she is working for women in the Olympics. Some change I was expecting and I have heard that she is very much against doping, so maybe we will see something,” Usha said on the sidelines of the 8th Elite Women’s National Boxing Championships here on Friday.
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It was interesting to see Usha in attendance, given her recent acrimonious relationship with the BFI that even led to her appointing an ad-hoc committee to oversee its working before the federation got legal relief. But Usha insisted that her priority was always the athletes.
“Normally I don’t go for last-minute invites but I came here today because I wanted this event to happen. For so long the boxers didn’t have national meets or camps. I didn’t go to the Parliament but came here. It’s good it’s happened and is a good motivation for the players, specially with boxing now confirmed for LA28 also. But I feel bad for those who have not been able to participate, that should not have happened,” she admitted but added that players should learn to keep their focus on the sport.
“It is difficult for players everywhere. My whole life I have always had obstacles and challenges. But they should focus on their event, fight for it with passion and dedication to achieve something, come what may,” she said.
