NEW DELHI: The landscape of Indian sports administration is bracing for a pivotal transformation as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) moves closer to its 2026 elections. In a significant development, Electoral Officer (RO) Sanjay K. Srivastava has unveiled the draft list of nominations for the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs), a crucial bloc that holds immense influence within the organization’s power structure.
The release of the draft, published this past Saturday, features a stellar lineup of 27 candidates, comprising 15 men and 12 women. The roster reads like a “Who’s Who” of Indian sporting history, featuring household names who have defined excellence on the international stage, including Olympic medallists, World Championship winners, and decorated national icons.
A Roster of Legends
The inclusion of current IOA President PT Usha underlines the gravity of these upcoming polls. She is joined on the women’s ballot by the likes of badminton sensation Saina Nehwal, legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George, and celebrated archer Dola Banerjee. The diversity of the disciplines represented—from track and field to basketball and table tennis—showcases the broad cross-section of athletes looking to steer the future of the nation’s Olympic movement.
On the men’s side, the list is equally formidable. Olympic bronze medalist in boxing Vijender Singh, wrestling icon Yogeshwar Dutt, and shooting legend Gagan Narang headline a group that also includes stalwarts such as hockey legend Sardar Singh, table tennis maestro Sharath Kamal Achanta, and ace shuttler B. Sai Praneeth.
The full list of men includes: Mansher Singh, Surinder Singh Shokar, Gagan Narang, Moraad Ali Khan, Kamlesh Mehta, Sathish Kumar Sivalingam, Yogeshwar Dutt, Ronjan Sodhi, B. Sai Praneeth, Sardar Singh, Sharath Kamal Achanta, B. Sumeeth Reddy, Vijender Singh, Adille Sumariwalla, and Om Prakash Singh Karhana.
The women’s list features: Dola Banerjee, Ashwini Nachappa, Chekrovolu Swuro, Neelam Setti Laxmi, PT Usha, Rani, Ragina Kiro, Saina Nehwal, Trupti Murgunde, Anitha Paul Durai, Anju Bobby George, and Sunitha Singh.
The Procedural Tightrope
While the star power of the nominees is undeniable, the path to the ballot box on November 9 is fraught with procedural hurdles. The IOA’s nomination guidelines are precise, and a strict rule regarding the support process—intended to prevent lobbying monopolies—has already cast a shadow of uncertainty over a handful of candidates.
Under current directives, each person on the SOM roster is permitted to propose or second only one candidate per gender category. The rule carries a stiff penalty: if two nominations share the same proposer or seconder, the subsequent nomination is “deemed rejected.”
The draft list suggests that this technical trap has already ensnared at least two pairings in the men’s category. Shivendra Singh, for instance, has seconded both Surinder Singh Shokar and Sardar Singh. Similarly, badminton star Saina Nehwal has proposed B. Sai Praneeth and seconded B. Sumeeth Reddy. Unless the Electoral Officer offers a flexible interpretation during the upcoming scrutiny phase, these overlapping endorsements could see specific candidacies invalidated.
Alliances and Strategic Backing
Beyond the potential technical fouls, the draft list reveals a high level of tactical coordination among the candidates. The “closed-loop” nature of the nominations suggests that the country’s top athletes are far from casual participants; they are acutely aware of the leverage they hold.
“Mutual backing is not against the rules,” noted one observer of the process. Indeed, the list highlights several intricate alliances: Mansher Singh and Moraad Ali Khan have proposed each other, effectively securing their spots. Meanwhile, a “triangular” pact has been observed between Saina Nehwal, B. Sai Praneeth, and B. Sumeeth Reddy, where each party has actively participated in the nomination of the others.
High-profile figures have also flexed their influence. PT Usha, in her capacity as an SOM voter, has thrown her support behind Kamlesh Mehta and Ashwini Nachappa, while Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Vijender Singh have formed a strategic ring of mutual support, underscoring the collaborative effort to ensure these heavyweights remain in the running.
What Lies Ahead
The electoral process now shifts into its most critical phase: the period of objections and rigorous scrutiny. With the formal election scheduled for November 9, the coming days will determine whether the current draft stands or if the strict adherence to the “one candidate, one proposer” rule will force a thinning of the field.
For the Indian sporting community, these elections represent more than just a change in guard; they signify an attempt to empower athletes by integrating them directly into the decision-making processes of the IOA. Whether the final list remains as robust as the draft, or whether procedural casualties thin the ranks, the upcoming vote is poised to be a landmark moment for the future of Indian sport.
As the scrutiny commences, all eyes remain on the Office of the Electoral Officer. For the candidates, the race to November 9 has only just begun.
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