📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports
PT Usha Defeated in IOA SOM Elections as Four Women Leaders Elected
✍️ Amar Ujala · Patna
🗓 09 Nov 2026, 08:01 PM
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In the Indian Olympic Association’s selection of officers, veteran PT Usha lost the presidential race while former athletes Anju Bobby George, Rani Rampal, Dola Banerjee and Saina Nehwal secured seats.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recently concluded its senior office members (SOM) elections, resulting in a surprising outcome for the veteran sprinter PT Usha, who was defeated in the presidential contest.
Four former sportspersons – long‑jump champion Anju Bobby George, hockey star Rani Rampal, archery ace Dola Banerjee and badminton legend Saina Nehwal – were elected from the women’s category, each bringing extensive international experience to the governing body.
Their victories are being hailed as a step forward for greater female representation in Indian sports administration, signalling a shift toward inclusive leadership within the IOA.
Four former sportspersons – long‑jump champion Anju Bobby George, hockey star Rani Rampal, archery ace Dola Banerjee and badminton legend Saina Nehwal – were elected from the women’s category, each bringing extensive international experience to the governing body.
Their victories are being hailed as a step forward for greater female representation in Indian sports administration, signalling a shift toward inclusive leadership within the IOA.