The field of candidates seeking election to the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Athletes Commission has been reduced to 23 following a formal review of nomination papers. Election official Sanjay Kumar Srivastava confirmed the final list of contenders on Thursday, trimming the initial pool of 27 applicants for the eight available seats.
These eight positions—four for men and four for women—are designated for “Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit” (SOM). The election, scheduled for November 9, will be conducted via online voting by a total of 80 eligible athletes, split evenly between 40 men and 40 women.
Candidates Remaining in the Election
The updated candidate list features notable figures, including current IOA President PT Usha and five Olympic medalists. The election is considered a critical development for the organization, as some candidates for top executive council positions are also contesting these eight seats.
In the men’s category, 12 candidates remain in the running for four seats. The group includes Olympic medalists Gagan Narang (shooting), Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling), Vijender Singh (boxing), and Surinder Singh Shocker, a 1980 Olympic gold medalist in hockey. Other prominent figures on the ballot include World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla, table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal, and Ranjan Sodhi.
The women’s division features 11 candidates competing for four spots. Alongside Usha, the ballot includes Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal (badminton) and World Championship bronze medalist Anju Bobby George (long jump). The field also features former hockey captain Rani Rampal and archer Dola Banerjee.
High Profile Athletes Removed from Final Nomination List
Several high-profile athletes were excluded from the final list after failing the nomination review process. Hockey legend Sardar Singh, former badminton player B. Sumeeth Reddy, and shot-putter Om Prakash Karhana were among the male candidates removed from the ballot.
In the women’s category, Sunith Singh was disqualified from the race because the list released on October 31 showed no proposer supporting her nomination.
The Path to the Executive Council
The eight individuals elected on November 9 will gain immediate membership in the IOA’s General Assembly, granting them voting rights for the upcoming executive council elections scheduled for December 5. The statutes dictate that two of these elected athletes—one man and one woman—will transition into roles as members of the IOA’s executive council.
The election process remains in a transitional phase. Candidates have until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday to formally withdraw their nominations. Following the close of this window, the election official is expected to release the final, definitive list of candidates who will appear on the ballot for the November 9 vote.
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