Sprint legend PT Usha has become the latest sportsperson to resign from the positions of national observer and member of the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme. Usha, appointed observer for athletics, has stepped down from the twin posts to avoid possible ‘conflict of interest’ charge, resulting out of her involvement in running an academy – Usha School of Athletics – in Kozhikode.
According to a sports ministry official, two of India’s leading women sprinters – Tintu Luka and Jishna Mathew – train at her academy in Kerala and are regulars in the Indian athletics contingent at the international meets. It’s learnt that 16 other promising track and field athletes, who are knocking on the doors of India selection, also train at her academy.
When TOI contacted Usha for her reaction, she confirmed she had resigned in the last week of December. However, Usha will continue to be on the advisory panel of the All India Council for Sports (AICS) – whose chairman is veteran administrator Vijay Kumar Malhotra – and also remain a member of the ‘Khelo India’ project.