Indian Olympic Association Set to Elect New Executive Council: What You Need to Know

The Indian Olympic Association is gearing up for its Executive Council elections on December 5, with Sanjay Kumar Srivastava appointed as the returning officer. This election process aims to enhance governance and transparency within the organization. Eligible candidates can submit applications for the Athletes' Commission and Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit categories, with key dates approaching. PT Usha, the first female president of the IOA, emphasizes the importance of strong governance as India aspires to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Stay tuned for more updates on this significant event in Indian sports governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 10, 2026, 16:24 IST

Upcoming Elections for the Indian Olympic Association

New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that it will hold elections for its new Executive Council on December 5, just five days before the current committee's term concludes. The process has commenced with the appointment of Sanjay Kumar Srivastava as the returning officer responsible for overseeing the elections.

Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, a former Chief Election Commissioner for Delhi and Chandigarh, will ensure the electoral process adheres to the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, along with the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, the revised IOA Constitution, and the relevant IOA Election Bye-Laws and Rules.

The returning officer will manage elections for the Athletes' Commission, the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) category, and the IOA Executive Council.

In a statement, the IOA confirmed, "Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, IAS (Retd.), former Election Commissioner of Delhi and Chandigarh, has been appointed as the Electoral Officer/Returning Officer for the 2026 elections. He will conduct, monitor, and supervise the elections related to the Athletes' Commission, Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs), and the IOA Executive Council."

The process for Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit began on September 18, with application forms made available for those wishing to be included in the roster.

Eligible candidates can submit their applications and necessary documents by October 18, after which the roster will be compiled based on eligibility and tier criteria set by the National Sports Governance framework.

The Electoral Officer has also announced elections for the IOA Athletes' Commission for the term 2026-2030, with polling, counting, and result declarations scheduled for November 3.

Eligible National Sports Federation (NSF) members must nominate two athlete representatives through their respective Athletes' Commissions, with nominations due by 2:00 PM on October 11, 2026. The Commission will consist of ten elected athletes—five men and five women—ensuring representation from Olympic-category athletes and those with significant achievements in major competitions.

The electoral process will culminate in the IOA Executive Council elections on December 5.

PT Usha, the IOA president, described this initiative as a significant step towards enhancing governance within the organization.

She stated, "The 2026 elections represent a crucial milestone in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability within the Indian Olympic Movement. Our goal is to establish robust, credible, and athlete-focused institutions that align with the Olympic Charter and the national sports governance framework."

Usha emphasized that appointing an experienced former Election Commissioner as the Electoral Officer/Returning Officer reflects the IOA's commitment to an independent, transparent, and credible electoral process. The IOA will provide all necessary support while fully respecting the independence of the electoral process.

Since taking office on December 10, 2022, Usha has made history as the first woman to lead the national Olympic body.

With India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, she reiterated that strong governance and an athlete-centric approach will be pivotal to the IOA's Olympic journey.

India is one of seven nations in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding hosting the 2036 Games in Ahmedabad, alongside Germany, Hungary, Qatar, South Korea, South Africa, and Turkey.