New Delhi, India, November 11, 2026: PT Usha’s bid to retain the presidency of the Indian Olympic Association has hit a hurdle after she failed to be elected as one of four female Sportspersons of Merit (SOM) on Monday.
The four females to be elected as SOMs were former shuttler Saina Nehwal, legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George, former archer Dola Banerjee and former women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal.
The IOA Electoral College results have put Usha’s presidential ambitions in difficulty – she can stand for the IOA Executive Council polls to be held on December 5 only if she is nominated to the General Assembly by a National Sports Federation.
Under the IOA constitution, the candidate for the presidency will have to be a SOM or a member of the General Assembly.
In 2022, Usha was elected unopposed as the IOA’s first woman president via the SOM route.
Eighty SOMs – 40 men and 40 women – formed the electoral roll for the election of the four female representatives. Bobby George received 53 votes, Rampal 50, Banerjee 45 and Nehwal 43. Usha was fifth with 40 votes.
Two SOMs – one man and one woman – will also become members of the IOA Executive Council.