New Delhi, 10 October (H.S.): The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday announced that elections to its new Executive Council will be held on December 5, 2026. The elections, scheduled five days before the current Executive Council’s term expires, will be overseen by Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, a former Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi and Chandigarh, who has been appointed as the returning officer.

According to the IOA, the entire electoral process will be conducted in accordance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, the association’s amended constitution, and the applicable electoral by-laws and regulations. The returning officer will oversee the elections to the Athletes’ Commission, the category of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM), and the IOA Executive Council.

In an official statement, the IOA confirmed the appointment of retired Indian Administrative Service officer Sanjay Kumar Srivastava as the returning officer for the 2026 elections. He will be responsible for conducting, monitoring and supervising the electoral processes relating to the Athletes’ Commission, Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit and the Executive Council.

Process Underway to Prepare List of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit

The IOA began the process of preparing the list of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit on September 18, when application forms were issued. Eligible athletes can submit their applications along with the requisite supporting documents until October 18. The final list will subsequently be prepared in accordance with the eligibility requirements and category-specific criteria prescribed under the national sports governance framework.

The association has also notified elections to the Athletes’ Commission for the 2026–2030 term. Voting, counting of ballots and the announcement of results are scheduled for November 3.

The IOA stated that eligible members of recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs) must nominate two athlete representatives through their duly constituted Athletes’ Commissions. The deadline for submitting nominations is 2 pm on October 11, 2026.

The Athletes’ Commission will comprise 10 elected members, including five men and five women. The applicable rules also provide for prescribed representation of athletes who have achieved distinction in Olympic sports and major sporting competitions.

PT Usha Emphasises Transparency and Accountability

IOA President PT Usha described the election process as an important milestone in strengthening good governance within Indian sport. She said the 2026 elections would play a significant role in reinforcing governance, transparency and accountability across the Indian Olympic movement.

According to Usha, the association is committed to building strong, credible and athlete-centred institutions that function in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the national sports governance framework.

She added that appointing an experienced former election official as returning officer reflected the IOA’s commitment to ensuring an independent, transparent and credible electoral process. The association, she said, would provide the necessary assistance while fully respecting the independence of the elections.

PT Usha assumed office as IOA president after being elected unopposed in New Delhi on December 10, 2022. She became the first woman to head India’s national Olympic body.

Elections Assume Significance as India Pursues 2036 Olympic Hosting Ambitions

The forthcoming elections are particularly significant as India aspires to host the 2036 Olympic Games. A robust governance framework and an athlete-centred approach are considered important elements in strengthening the country’s Olympic administration and its international standing.

India is among seven interested parties engaged in dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the hosting of the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad being considered as the proposed host city. The other interested parties are Germany, Hungary, Qatar, South Korea, South Africa and Türkiye.

The election of a new Executive Council is expected to be an important moment for the IOA as it continues to focus on institutional governance, accountability and the development of Indian sport amid the country’s ambitions to host the world’s biggest sporting event.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar