NEW DELHI — The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially set its electoral machinery in motion, marking a pivotal transition in the governance of national sport. With the implementation of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the IOA is moving toward a transformative election cycle that promises to reshape its leadership and emphasize the inclusion of elite athletic voices at the highest decision-making levels.
As the October 30 deadline for the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) nominations looms, the atmosphere in the capital is one of strict adherence to protocol. Electoral Officer and retired IAS officer Sanjay K. Srivastava has issued a stern directive to all prospective candidates: compliance is not optional. The integrity of these elections, he signaled, will hinge on a rigid adherence to the newly minted guidelines, with non-compliant nominations facing immediate disqualification.
Strict Protocols for a New Governance Era
The procedural framework, detailed in a document released by Srivastava on October 26, clarifies the path forward for former elite athletes looking to join the IOA General Assembly. Central to these guidelines is a modified “Form 2,” the mandatory document for candidates seeking SOM status. By updating these forms, the IOA is attempting to streamline the nomination process while simultaneously closing loopholes that have historically plagued sports body elections.
One of the most critical aspects of the current guidelines concerns the influence of proposers and seconders. According to the directive, only those listed on the official male or female SOM roster—published on October 23—are eligible to endorse a candidate. The rule is designed to prevent electoral interference from outside interests, keeping the selection process strictly within the community of athletes who have already met the “Outstanding Merit” criteria.
The math of these endorsements is equally precise. An individual may support one candidate per category (male or female). However, the Electoral Officer has been explicit about the consequences of over-participation: should a proposer or seconder endorse multiple candidates in a single category, the later nomination will be summarily rejected. Furthermore, once an endorsement is delivered, the decision is final; the IOA has explicitly forbidden the withdrawal of names, effectively locking in the support structure for each candidate to ensure transparency and prevent last-minute political horse-trading.
Cross-Gender Inclusion and the Path to the Executive Council
In a move praised by advocates of gender-neutral sports administration, the IOA has explicitly permitted cross-gender endorsements. A male SOM is fully authorized to propose or second a female candidate, and vice versa. The restriction remains strictly centered on the numerical cap—not the gender of the nominee—ensuring that the process remains focused on the merit of the candidate rather than internal gender-based silos.
This rigor is not merely bureaucratic; it is the foundation for selecting the eight representatives who will eventually occupy seats in the IOA General Assembly. These eight—four men and four women—represent the elite tier of Indian sports history. The stakes are further elevated by the mandate that, following the SOM selection, one man and one woman from this group of eight will be elevated to the IOA Executive Council. This ensures that the voices of former champions are not just present, but possess actual voting power within the inner sanctum of the association.
Criteria for the Elite
The SOM framework is designed to bridge the gap between active administration and practical sporting experience. The criteria to qualify as an SOM are stringent, acting as a filter to ensure that only those who have served India with distinction at the highest levels can participate.
To be eligible, a candidate must:
* Be an Indian citizen.
* Be of sound mind and meet the age requirement of 25 to 70 years.
* Have been retired from active competitive sport for at least one year.
* Have represented India in an Olympic sport recognized by an IOA-affiliated national sports federation.
This criteria effectively ensures that the governance of Indian sport is in the hands of individuals who understand the physical, mental, and professional demands of Olympic-level competition. This shift is being watched closely, as it signals a desire to bring figures like IOA President PT Usha into a broader governance structure supported by peers of similar pedigree.
The Road to November 9
The coming days will be a whirlwind of administrative scrutiny. With the October 30 deadline acting as the gatekeeper, the Electoral Officer will soon pivot to the vetting phase. This will include a meticulous examination of nominations and a formal disposal process for any objections raised by the athletic community.
Once the final list of contesting candidates is published, the process moves into a digital age. The polling, scheduled for November 9, will be conducted virtually. This departure from traditional, physical polling stations reflects the IOA’s intent to maintain an efficient, transparent, and modern election process. Detailed instructions regarding the technical aspects of the virtual voting are expected to be released shortly.
As the IOA prepares for the Athletes’ Commission election on November 3 and the subsequent Executive Council polls on December 5, the SOM elections stand as the most significant bellwether for the future of the organization. For a nation hungry for sporting success and structural stability, these upcoming weeks of democratic process are more than just an election—they are the blueprint for the next generation of Indian Olympic leadership.
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