The controversy around the Equestrian Federation of India has been a major talking point lately, with scrutiny of the governing body only rising after the appointment of Col Retd Tarsem Singh Warraich, accused of rape, as the national team's coach for an overseas assignment after massive outrage. Reacting to the scenario, the Sports Ministry has issued a show-cause notice to EFI over governance and compliance issues.
While Tarsem Singh is going to be the coach-cum-manager of the Indian team for the International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) World Cup Qualifiers, EFI's Secretary General has been "absolutely sidelined" by the Executive Committee (EC), and he played no role in the decision. The competition is scheduled to be played in Jordan from January 29 to 31.
"This is quite true that yes, this is causing embarrassment, but I’ve got no role to play," EFI Secretary General Col (retd) Jaiveer Singh told CNN-News18 in an exclusive conversation on Friday morning.
"I was absolutely sidelined. I’m the Secretary General, yes, but I work under the direction of the EC, and I was not kept in the loop of the whole thing, and the EC took a decision to do what they did," he added.
Know About EFI's Big Controversy After Coach Announcement
Tarsem, who himself is an executive committee member of EFI, has never played in a national tent pegging championship and was earlier suspended by the federation in an impersonation-related case from 2022 to 2024. His selection was opposed by the father of a junior rider, who wrote to the world governing body, ITPF. Mentioning all the details, he stated that an FIR has been registered against Colonel Tarsem Singh Warraich in Sonepat regarding a sexual harassment complaint filed by two women.
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When asked about the reason for Tarsem accompanying the team, EFI’s secretary general, Col (retd) Jaiveer Singh, said. "As I said, I was not kept in the loop. I’m just a glorified clerk of the federation. I worked as per the statutes, working under the directions of the EC. EC took this decision, and they did what they did. In fact, Tarsem Singh Warraich retired – he’s also a member of the EC and in the writ petition 8691 of 2020, there was an order passed that none of the members of the executive committee should go with the teams. And the EC is aware of all this. So I really don’t know what made them take this decision," he said.
There were claims that the decision on the coach appointment was taken after Tarsem forced the EFI members elevate his name for the role. However, Jaiveer completely refused to comment on the claims. “I cannot comment on this because, like I’ve been telling you, I’m not aware. I was not in the loop or in the complete selection process," he said. "The Secretariat of EFI is responsible for the functioning, but the EC has kept me on the sidelines for a very long time despite having a favourable court order. So I cannot comment on this because I’m not privy to any of the proceedings, whether it was the selection of the player or the coach or the manager or the whole thing, including the funding. I’m not privy to anything. So that’s why I cannot comment on this, please."
Sports Ministry Issues Show-Cause Notice
Amid the ongoing controversy, the Sports Ministry has issued a show-cause notice to the EFI over prolonged governance and compliance failures. Jaiveer said that the EFI will need to come up with a final solution on this issue, given the governing body's recent track record and especially in light of India’s dream to host the Olympic Games in 2036.
"We need to have an in-house discussion and resolve all issues and work as a team in a transparent and progressive manner. There is no doubt EFI has been in poor light for some time now, and it’s high time we need to, as a federation, in the interest of the sport, we need to carry out introspection and improve our functioning with the overall good of the sport. And of course, in light of our Prime Minister’s desire to hold the 2036 Olympics in India, which should happen," he concluded.