NEW DELHI: The Army’s decades-long hold over the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) has ended after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), as directed by the Delhi high court, formed an ad-hoc committee to run the federation.Former Madhya Pradesh’s minister of sports and youth welfare Yashodhara Raje Scindia has been named chairperson to head the four-member panel.Other members include International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) director (governance) Francisco Lima, advocate Vidushpat Singhania and former EFI joint secretary (technical) Col (retd) Ashok Yadav.The EFI has remained under judicial scrutiny for years over governance failures, factionalism and non-compliance with the sports code.
The EFI last held elections in 2019 for a four-year term and the current executive’s tenure ended in 2023.“The ad-hoc committee shall align the EFI constitution and bye-laws with the national sports governance act 2025 and the rules 2026; restructure the general body and membership framework in accordance with law; ensure that the constitutions and bye-laws of all affiliated state units are compliant; conduct free, fair and transparent elections to the athletes commission; and ensure the lawful constitution of the electoral college,” IOA president PT Usha stated in her office order.
