Indian skier Arif Khan’s preparations for the Winter Olympics 2024 has taken a hit due to internal quarrelling in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) finance committee. Khan, who was supposed to get a scholarship fund of $6000 allotted by the International Olympic Council (IOC). However, the fund which was transferred to the IOA in May, has been held back by the finance committee.
Skier Arif Khan’s 2026 Winter Olympics preparations take a hit
As per Hindustan Times, IOA president PT Usha has written to the IOC, requesting them to directly transfer the fund to Arif’s account. The report claims that the IOA finance committee headed by senior vice president Ajay Patel has questioned Arif’s selection in the IOC’s scholarship programme.
“The funds were intended to be disbursed to the athlete promptly, ensuring that his training activities are not disrupted due to a lack of financial support. However, it is with regret that I must inform you that the Finance Committee of the IOA has not yet released the fund. Instead, they have questioned the rationale behind Sh Arif Khan’s selection for the funding by the IOC,” PT Usha wrote in a letter to Edward Kensington, Olympic Solidarity Continental Manager, Asia.
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Arif Khan laments delay in release of fund
The skier has made numerous attempts to reach out to the IOA officials over the release of the fund but has found no breakthrough. In a letter to PT Usha, Khan said that his training schedule and preparation for the Winter Olympics was impacted due to the delay in the release of the fund.
“Despite my numerous attempts to resolve this matter through emails to various IOA officials, there has been no progress or initiative taken to address this issue. The delay in the release of these funds is severely impacting my training schedule and preparation for the winter Olympics,” Arif wrote to President Usha.
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IOC steps in to help Arif Khan
Olympic Solidarity Continental Manager for Asia Edward Kensington noted that he was well aware of the delay in the release of the fund due to internal politics in the IOA. He added that the IOC had already started the procedure for IOA to made a request to directly transfer the fund to the athelete’s account.
“We are aware that these funds have not been transferred to you by your NOC and we have been following up with them on a regular basis. Indeed, due to an internal conflict within your NOC the release of the payment has until now been blocked. Our institutional relations and government department is working with the IOA to try and resolve the internal conflict,” Edward said
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