The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) has landed in fresh controversy after a rape-accused official was appointed coach-cum-manager of the Indian team sent to compete in Jordan, triggering outrage within the sporting community and drawing sharp scrutiny from the Union Sports Ministry.
The official, Col (Retd) Tarsem Singh Warraich, an Executive Committee member of the EFI, was named to lead the four-member Indian contingent at the International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) World Cup Qualifiers held in Jordan from January 29 to 31.
Warraich is currently out on interim bail till March 2026 in a case involving allegations of rape and sexual harassment filed by two women students from Army families in Sonepat. Court records indicate that his bail was granted on the condition that he remain in India to care for an ailing relative undergoing chemotherapy, raising serious questions over how he was permitted to travel overseas.
Safety concerns raised, international body steps in
The appointment immediately drew objections at the international level after a parent of a junior girl rider flagged safety concerns with the ITPF, the world governing body for tent pegging.
Sources confirmed that the ITPF wrote to the EFI seeking “appropriate action” to ensure athlete safety. Warraich was also barred from attending a judges’ course being held alongside the competition, following objections from international participants.
The issue has exposed deep divisions within the EFI. Secretary General Col (Retd) Jaiveer Singh has distanced himself from the decision, stating that he was unaware of the appointment and alleging that Warraich “pushed through” the assignment with the backing of certain Executive Committee members.
Ministry cracks down, issues show-cause notice
The Jordan episode comes even as the EFI faces a major governance crackdown from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. On January 28, the ministry issued a show-cause notice to the federation, citing prolonged governance failures and repeated violations of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.
Among the concerns flagged by the ministry are allegations of manipulation of membership by granting direct voting rights to clubs and Army units, failure to conduct transparent selection trials for the Jordan event, and inconsistent communication with the ITPF, including initially citing weather conditions as a reason for non-participation before reversing the decision within 24 hours.
The ministry has also pointed to the EFI’s failure to establish state and district units across large parts of the country, despite being given a four-year compliance window.
The federation has been given 15 days to respond. An unsatisfactory reply could lead to de-recognition, resulting in the withdrawal of government funding and the possibility of India being suspended by the international federation.
Federation under pressure
With an accused official representing India abroad and serious governance questions mounting at home, the EFI now finds itself under unprecedented pressure. The coming weeks are likely to determine whether the federation can retain official recognition or face the most severe consequences of the ongoing crackdown.