Gagan Narang, Kamlesh Mehta, Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijender Singh elected unopposed in IOA SOM elections

Gagan Narang (Image via X/Screengrab) NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Athletes of Outstanding Merit (SOM) election has been reduced to a contest in the women’s category after eight of the 12 male candidates withdrew from the fray and the remaining four remained unopposed.According to the final list of candidates released by Returning Officer (RO) Sanjay K Srivastava on Saturday, Gagan Narang, Kamlesh Mehta, Yogeshwar Dutt and Vijender Singh will be elected unopposed for the four male positions. Due to the number of candidates corresponding to the number of vacancies, the election on November 9 in the male category will be of no use.However, there will be competition in the women’s category, with six candidates competing for four places. The final list consists of Dola Banerjee, current IOA president PT Usha, Rani Rampal, Saina Nehwal, Anitha Paul Durai and Anju Bobby George.Of the 12 male candidates who were declared validly nominated on Thursday, the eight male withdrawals include shooter Ronjan Sodhi, table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal and former IOA president Adille Sumariwalla.Other male candidates who withdrew were Mansher Singh, Surinder Singh Shokar, Moraad Ali Khan, Sathish Kumar Sivalingam and B Sai Praneeth.In the women’s category, out of 11 validly proposed candidates, five opted out, six remained in the fight for four places. Ashwini Nachappa, Chekrovolu Swuro, Neelam Setti Laxmi, Ragina Kiro and Trupti Murgunde were among those who withdrew.Elections for the four female SOM positions will be held on November 9. The results are also scheduled to be announced on the same day.