PT Usha seeks IOC probe after losing SOM vote; second-term hopes hit

PT Usha’s second-term hopes have hit a snag after she lost a key Indian Olympic body poll in a big blow. Following this, she has formally requested an independent probe by the International Olympic Committee into the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit elections held earlier this week. This comes after she failed to secure one of the available places, significantly weakening her prospects of retaining the top post.

In the women’s category vote on 9 November, long jumper Anju Bobby George led with 53 votes. She was followed by former India hockey captain Rani Rampal on 50, archer Dola Banerjee on 45 and badminton player Saina Nehwal on 43. Usha finished fifth with 40 votes, while former basketball player Anitha Pauldurai received six. Only four places were available. 

The men’s positions were filled without a contest by Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijender Singh and Kamlesh Mehta. Usha, who became the first woman to lead the IOA when she was elected unopposed in December 2022, had originally entered the organisation’s electoral structure through the SOM pathway. Under current rules, candidates for the presidency and other Executive Council posts generally need to be members of the General Assembly. Meanwhile, the next round of Executive Council elections is scheduled for 5 December.

Second term hopes hit as PT Usha loses SOM vote, seeks IOC probe

In a detailed letter to IOC president Kirsty Coventry, Usha alleged shortcomings in the conduct of the SOM process. The Indian Olympic Association president pointed to campaigning by sitting Executive Council members, messages seeking confirmation of voter participation, references to the Sports Ministry in connection with a secret-ballot election, and the manner in which four representations she submitted to the returning officer were handled. 

PT Usha has asked the IOC to examine possible breaches of rules, any external influence, and whether the case should be referred to the organisation’s ethics and compliance bodies, as per reports. She has also called for steps to improve transparency and independence in future IOA elections, noting India’s ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Usha continues in office until the December elections. Alternative routes into the General Assembly remain open, principally through nomination by one of the 30 eligible National Sports Federations, each of which can send one male and one female representative.

Eligibility requirements include Indian citizenship, an upper age limit of 70, and good standing. There has been no public indication that any federation plans to nominate her, and her camp appears to be concentrating on the IOC response rather than exploring federation routes or immediate court action. The eight newly elected SOMs will form part of the General Assembly and will also elect one male and one female member to the Executive Council. The full electoral college includes two representatives from each National Sports Federation, IOC members, Athletes Commission representatives and the SOMs.

The outcome has focused attention on governance questions within the IOA at a time when the body is seeking to demonstrate high standards of transparency and autonomy. Whether the IOC decides to intervene, and how the December elections proceed, will shape the next leadership of Indian Olympic sport and influence perceptions of the country’s readiness for major international events.

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