The name of the dead prez on the invoice 1.96 cr! Odisha Gymnastics Association faces ‘ghost president’ allegations.

An athlete chalks his hand before a gymnastics competition (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) NEW DELHI: Odisha Gymnastics Association (OGA) has been embroiled in controversy after allegedly using its former president Samir Dey’s name on official documents and invoices even though he died in November 2024. The issue came to light after a complaint was lodged with Odisha’s Sports & Youth Services Department questioning how the association managed to collect nearly Rs 98 lakh from the government while still functioning under a “dead president”.The controversy is related to the 2026 National Gymnastics Championships held at the Kalinga Stadium from 25 April to 3 May. The invoice, worth over Rs 1.96 crore, reportedly bore Dey’s name as president and was signed by OGA general secretary Ashok Sahoo on April 23, 2026.“It is quite interesting to note that the Association is running with a president who died a year and a half ago,” complainant Balunkeswar Sahoo wrote in his letter.Responding to the allegation, Ashok Sahoo said the association was still using old letterheads after changes in leadership.“Dhiren Panda is currently serving as the head of the association. We have not printed new letterheads yet,” OGA general secretary Sahoo told news agency PTI.The complaint also questioned why multiple agencies funded the same tournament. Documents show that the Sports Authority of India has awarded Rs 50 crore to the Gymnastics Federation of India for the event, while the Odisha state government has separately sanctioned Rs 1.96 crore, with Rs 98 crore already released.The issue also revived older concerns about the functioning of the OGA. An earlier communication from the sports department reportedly noted that the association had not held an election for nearly 20 years. The complainant has now called for an independent inquiry into the OGA’s finances, transparency and compliance with sporting regulations.“Public funds are intended for the real development of sports and athletes, and therefore must be used only through transparent, accountable and properly vetted authorities,” the complaint states.