NEW DELHI, November 2026 : Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president and former track and field star PT Usha has suffered a major setback in her bid for re-election after failing to secure a place in the electoral college through the Athletes Commission.
Usha finished fifth in the election for the four available female Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) positions on Monday, missing out on a place in the IOA electoral college ahead of the presidential election scheduled for December 5. The closely contested poll was marked by disagreements and allegations of interference.
According to the results announced by the IOA Electoral Officer, Anju Bobby George secured the highest number of votes, with 53 out of the 80 votes cast. Hockey star Rani Rampal finished second with 50 votes, followed by archer Dola Banerjee with 45 and badminton player Saina Nehwal with 43. Usha received 40 votes and failed to make the cut, as only four positions were available.
The outcome has affected Usha's eligibility to continue as IOA president under the Athletes Commission route. However, her chances of contesting the December 5 election are not entirely over, as National Sports Federations (NSFs) are yet to nominate their representatives to the electoral college. She could still enter the contest if nominated by one of the federations.
Controversy Over Selection of Female Sportspersons
The IOA Athletes Commission has eight positions reserved for Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit, comprising four men and four women. On Saturday, four prominent male sportspersons — Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt and Vijender Singh, along with table tennis veteran Kamlesh Mehta — were elected unopposed.
However, the selection of the four female representatives proved more contentious, with six candidates competing for the available positions. Discussions and efforts to build consensus reportedly continued before Monday's voting, amid allegations of interference in the process.
The final results saw Anju Bobby George, Rani Rampal, Dola Banerjee and Saina Nehwal secure places in the electoral college, while Usha was left out.
The political affiliations of some prominent sportspersons have also drawn attention during the selection process. Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijender Singh and Saina Nehwal are associated with the BJP. Usha, who is a Rajya Sabha member, was elected to the Upper House with the party's support.
Nehwal's election ahead of Usha has further highlighted the voting outcome, although the results do not by themselves establish the reasons behind individual voting decisions.
Gagan Narang's Position in IOA Election
The selection of all eight Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit has also shaped the composition of the electoral college ahead of the IOA presidential election.
Incumbent IOA vice-president Gagan Narang, who was elected unopposed among the male SOM candidates, is among the prominent figures in the race for the association's top post. Narang has recently shifted his base from Hyderabad to Ahmedabad and is reported to have support among sections of the Gujarat sporting and political establishment.
With the December 5 election approaching, attention is now on the nominations by National Sports Federations and the final composition of the electoral college.
Usha's Electoral Prospects Remain Uncertain
Usha's failure to secure a place through the Athletes Commission has complicated her attempt to retain the IOA presidency. Nevertheless, the nomination process by National Sports Federations could provide her another opportunity to enter the electoral college.
The coming days will therefore be significant for the IOA election, as the remaining nominations and possible candidates take shape. The developments have also brought renewed focus on the association's election process, the role of athletes' representatives and the competing interests surrounding the leadership of Indian Olympic sport.
