PT Usha Loses in IOA Merit Elections as Saina Nehwal and Others Elected

PT Usha's Setback in SOM Elections

In a surprising turn of events, PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), faced a defeat in the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections held on Monday. She lost in the women's category, where Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal, Anju Bobby George, Rani Rampal, and Dola Banerjee emerged victorious. These four athletes secured the available positions, surpassing Usha and another contender, Anitha Paul Durai.

Anju Bobby George topped the voting with 53 valid votes, followed closely by Rani Rampal with 50 votes, Dola Banerjee with 45, and Saina Nehwal with 43. PT Usha garnered 40 votes, while Anitha Paul Durai received just six. A total of 80 votes were cast in this category.

Implications for Future IOA Elections

This defeat is a significant moment for Usha, who made history as the first female president of the IOA when she was elected in December 2022. Her loss in the SOM elections comes just ahead of the upcoming polls on December 5, which will determine the IOA Executive Council for the term 2026-2030. In the men's category, four candidates were elected unopposed after eight of the twelve candidates withdrew from the race. Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Vijender Singh, along with former table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta, have secured their positions as male SOM representatives.

The elected SOM representatives will join the IOA General Assembly, granting them the right to vote and contest in the Executive Council elections on December 5. Additionally, one male and one female SOM representative will be included in the Executive Council, allowing them to play a direct role in the governance of the association. The results of the women's election add a new layer to the ongoing leadership contest within the IOA, with all eyes now on the December 5 elections.