Impact of PT Usha’s SOM Loss on Future IOA Presidency Prospects

The recent IOA board election has placed PT Usha in a precarious position ahead of the December 5 presidential contest. Usha, who currently chairs the Indian Olympic Association, finished fifth in the Outstanding Merit (SOM) race for women, missing out on one of the four reserved seats.

Anju Bobby George led the field with 53 votes, while Rani Rampal, Dola Banerjee and Saina Nehwal completed the list of elected women, the latter securing the final slot with 43 votes. Usha’s 40 votes were not enough to earn a place.

Eight SOM seats are allocated across the board – four for male athletes and four for female athletes – to ensure representation of sporting excellence. The male nominees – Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijender Singh and Kamlesh Mehta – were unanimously approved.

Usha’s exclusion could diminish her leverage in the upcoming presidential election. Although she remains eligible, her path now hinges on a possible nomination from one of the national sports federations, which could still deliver a decisive vote.

The election process was fraught with claims of undue influence and vigorous campaigning. Notably, three of the male SOM winners and Saina Nehwal are identified as BJP affiliates, while Usha herself was previously elected to the Rajya Sabha with BJP support. The outcome suggests a shifting balance of power that may shape the future of Indian sport governance.