PT Usha loses; Saina, Anju, among four, come through in six-way IOA SOM Elections
PT Usha has failed to secure a spot in the Indian Olympic Association's Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit category, effectively blocking her path to a second term as president. Four other athletes, including Saina Nehwal and Anju Bobby George, were elected to the positions.
Why it matters
This leadership shakeup significantly alters the governance landscape of Indian sports ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
NEW DELHI: Reigning Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha has lost the crucial Sportspersons of Oustanding Merit (SOMs) elections held on Monday. As a result, she would not be eligible to run for a second term at the top of Indian sport. Saina Nehwal, Rani Rampal, Anju Bobby George and Dola Banerjee have been elected as the four women.PT Usha and Anitha Paul Durai were the two ex-athletes who contested the online elections but didn't find enough support.Ex-athlete Anju Bobby George (53) garnered the most votes in the six-way race, ahead of ex-hockey captain Rani Rampal (50), former archer Dola Banerjee (45) and ex-shuttler Saina Nehwal (43). PT Usha (40) and Durai (6) lost out.The four were chosen by 80 of their peers who had initially showcased interest in contesting the IOA SOMs Elections.
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