The Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) electoral process has delivered a significant setback to its incumbent president, PT Usha, with the track and field legend failing to secure a place among the elected Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs). In a closely watched contest, former badminton star Saina Nehwal joined Anju Bobby George, Dola Banerjee and former Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal as the four elected female representatives, setting the stage for a crucial leadership battle ahead of the IOA Executive Council elections on December 5.
The result marks a major development in Indian Olympic administration, particularly with Usha’s position in the upcoming presidential contest now facing uncertainty. The election, conducted virtually on Monday between 9 am and 5 pm, saw all 80 eligible Sportspersons of Merit cast their votes, according to the results released by Electoral Officer Sanjay Kumar Srivastava.
Anju Bobby George emerged as the leading candidate with 53 votes, followed by Rani Rampal with 50. Dola Banerjee secured 45 votes, while Saina Nehwal completed the list with 43 votes. Usha finished fifth with 40 votes, missing out on qualification, while former basketball player Anitha Paul Durai received six votes. The outcome is particularly significant given Usha’s position as the incumbent IOA president and her standing as one of India’s most accomplished track and field athletes.
Anju Bobby George topped the voting with 53 votes, establishing herself as the most preferred candidate in the women’s category. The former long jumper, who won a bronze medal at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris, was followed by Rani Rampal, who secured 50 votes. Dola Banerjee, a former international archer and one of India’s prominent names in the sport, received 45 votes. Saina Nehwal, India’s London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, secured 43 votes to claim the fourth and final position, finishing just three votes ahead of Usha.
The results underline the support received by the four elected candidates from the existing SOM electoral college. All 80 members participated in the virtual voting process, making the outcome particularly consequential for the upcoming administrative elections. The men’s SOM positions had already been decided on Saturday, November 7, after eight candidates withdrew from the contest, leaving four nominees for four available positions. Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Vijender Singh and Yogeshwar Dutt, alongside former international table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta, were consequently elected unopposed.
Narang, who won a bronze medal in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the 2012 London Olympics, is among the prominent names being discussed in connection with the IOA presidential position. Vijender Singh won India’s first Olympic boxing medal at Beijing 2008, while Yogeshwar Dutt secured bronze in wrestling at the London 2012 Olympics. The eight elected SOMs will become members of the IOA General Assembly, giving them the right to participate in the December 5 elections. One male and one female SOM will also secure representation on the IOA Executive Council.
Usha’s failure to secure a SOM position has complicated her prospects of seeking another term as IOA president. Under the IOA Constitution, a candidate contesting for the president’s position must either be a Sportsperson of Merit or a member of the General Assembly. Usha had secured the presidency in December 2022 through the SOM route, becoming the first woman to head the Indian Olympic Association. Although her defeat has closed that particular route, she can technically remain eligible if a National Sports Federation (NSF) nominates her to the General Assembly.
However, she is not expected to be among the two representatives nominated by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), making the possibility difficult. The December 5 elections will determine the composition of the IOA’s new Executive Council and the leadership of Indian Olympic administration for the next term. The election also witnessed allegations of campaigning violations and attempts to influence voters.
Usha reportedly lodged a complaint with Electoral Officer Sanjay Kumar Srivastava against former archer Dola Banerjee, alleging that a WhatsApp message circulated in support of the ‘New Bharat Panel’ sought votes for four candidates. Separately, Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Sathish Sivalingam raised concerns about an alleged organised attempt to influence voters in favour of a candidate who was also the IOA president. His complaint also alleged the use of IOA resources, without explicitly naming Usha.
These complaints added another layer of controversy to an already closely watched election. However, the allegations should be distinguished from established findings, with the voting results ultimately determining the four successful candidates. The result is more than an electoral setback for PT Usha. It signals a potentially significant change in the leadership landscape of Indian sports administration.
With Usha missing out on the SOM positions, the December 5 election could see a different set of prominent sporting personalities emerge in positions of influence. Gagan Narang’s unopposed election to the men’s SOM category, alongside Saina Nehwal’s entry into the women’s group, adds further interest to the presidential race. The larger question now concerns the direction of the IOA under its next leadership.
With India’s ambitions surrounding the 2036 Olympic Games bid and preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, the association’s administrative stability and decision-making will remain under scrutiny. For now, the spotlight shifts to December 5, when the next chapter of Indian Olympic administration will take shape.
