PT Usha re-enters IOA presidential race, files nomination through Ice Hockey Federation

NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) presidential election has taken a new turn with incumbent PT Usha re-entering the fray after appearing to be virtually unchallenged following her defeat in the Outstanding Athlete (SOM) election.Usha has filed her nomination through the Ice Hockey Association of India, setting up another contest for the post of IOA president. Her candidacy could put her in direct competition with candidates backed by sections of the National Sports Federations (NSF) and the sports administration.Usha’s return to the presidential race comes after the SOM elections where she was pitted against four prominent former athletes – World Championship medalist Anju Bobby George, London Olympics medalist Saina Nehwal, former Indian archer Dola Banerjee and former hockey captain Rani Rampal. Their collective position, coupled with last-minute withdrawals, resulted in Usha losing the competition.Developments surrounding the SOM elections have also sparked allegations against several individuals, including members of the IOA executive committee, with allegations of interference by the sports administration sections. Usha wrote to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressing concern over the manner in which the SOM elections were conducted.Her nomination through the Ice Hockey Association of India now puts her back in contention, though it remains to be seen how much support she can garner from the federations and other stakeholders.Meanwhile, former Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla has returned as the federation’s representative after stepping down from the SOM elections. Hockey India representative Bhola Nath Singh and All India Tennis Association (AITA) representative Chintan Parekh are among the other notable names on the latest list.Rohit Rajpal, who is part of the IOA’s executive committee, is not among the representatives on the final list.The development also comes ahead of India’s presentation of its proposed bid to host the 2036 Olympics, scheduled for November 26.