There are no prizes for guessing that the Equestrian Federation of India earns nearly six times more revenue from issuing No Objection Certificates (NOC) to Indian riders competing overseas than it spends on National Championships.
In fact, a perusal of the Statements of Accounts, available on the EFI website, will reveal that it spends six times more money on ‘legal and professional’ matters than in conducting camps for either rising or established athletes in Olympic disciplines. It has spent Rs. 87.47 lakh in three years (from 2020-21 to 2022-2023) on Legal and Professional matters while only Rs. 12.48 lakh has been spent on funding National Camps for Dressage, Eventing and Show Jumping. And the EFI brass wants to earmark Rs. 50 lakh towards ‘legal and professional’ matters in the budget for 2023-24.
One of EFI’s key revenue streams is the NOC it issues to Indian athletes competing overseas. And over the three financial years, it has earned Rs 3.87 crore for forwarding the entries of these athletes. That contrasts sharply with the Rs. 66.85 lakh it spends on the conduct of National Championships in the three Olympic disciplines and Tent Pegging.
EFI has shown Rs. 3.28 crore as spends on nine Asian Games Trials over two years when it was aware that the trials held in the country would have little meaning since horses from India would not be allowed to enter China either directly or through Germany. In the end, it asked some riders to travel Europe, find horses to lease, strike partnerships with them and get qualifying standards.
It is interesting that EFI Vice-President (Finance) Harish Khokkar has signed the audited statement of accounts for 2022-23 as its Treasurer. Some members have raised objection to that since that has not been authorised by the Executive Committee. For, the Executive Committee is practically defunct and has not met since March 2022.
Among the many interesting things in the Secretary-General’s report, also posted on the EFI website ahead of a scheduled annual general meeting, is the fact that there is no mention of the ensuing Asian Games.
EFI removes ranks of Army officers admitted as members
Curiously, just as some officials of the Indian Golf Union tried a few months ago, the Equestrian Federation of India counterparts have circulated a list of new members who have been admitted as individual members but have chosen to remove the ranks of even top army officials like the Quarter Master General and the Director-General Supplies and Transport from the list.
Back in December 2022, the ranks of as many as six Lieutenants General, a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major were not shown in the Indian Golf Union Electoral College. It was never revealed why the ranks of the army officers, serving or retired, were not disclosed. Even the uninitiated will know that officers are entitled to retain their rank before their names for ever and more.
However, in this case, it is possible that some clever officials have taken it upon themselves to remove the ranks of the Lieutenants General, Brigadier and Major because the Delhi High Court rapped the EFI’s revolving door policy which saw the incumbent Quarter Master General become the Federation President and the Director-General Supplies and Transport the EFI Vice President.
“It is the case of the petitioner that this Court by its order dated 15.11.2019, had allowed the newly elected members to the Governing body of the respondent no. 1 to take charge subject to the outcome of the present petition. Thereafter, the President and the Vice-President (Admin) have tendered their resignation, however, Lt. Gen S.S. Mishra and Lt. Gen M.K.S. Yadav have been appointed as a temporary President and Vice- President (Admin), without holding any fresh election and only on the basis of their Ranks and positing in the Indian Army,” Justice Navin Chawla wrote in his order of July 20, 2020, restraining the two Generals from acting as interim President and Vice-President (Admin) respectively.
At a time when the Delhi High Court has ruled that individual members cannot be part of the EFI Electoral College, the Federation has continued to admit 69 new life members and two individual members.
One of the most morally unethical and corrupt sports federation. It’s sad that the athletes suffer because of their manipulations and mischievous ways.
EFI runs the Federation as its fiefdom, they have no interest in developing the sport at grassroots A change in the organization has to happen
Endurance riding is the most effected discipline. EFI needs to work diligently and fill in the gap between riders and the federation. There are a lot of misunderstandings between the federation and the riders and the OCs. If EFI authorities are clean with their processes they need to improve their communications with the riders and OCs. They need to work and spend more on the development of the sport.
Having concerns about the financial practices of the EFI is understandable. It is important for any sports federation to prioritize the development and well-being of athletes. Transparency and accountability should be upheld to ensure funds are used appropriately for the growth of equestrian sports in India. Additionally, it is crucial to evaluate the management structure of the EFI and consider implementing changes in leadership and governance. Promoting transparency, efficiency, and athlete-centered decision-making can contribute to the advancement of equestrian sports in India.