The Indian Olympic Association has decided to restore the government ahead of the December polls

NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will convene a Special General Body Meeting (SGBM) on Tuesday to adopt its amended constitution in line with the National Sports Governance Act 2025, an important constitutional exercise for the apex Olympic body ahead of its elections that will end the first four-year term of the PT Usha-led Executive Committee (EC) later this year.The SGBM will formally adopt the constitution, setting the stage for its eventual ratification by the IOA General Body in the coming months. The exercise assumes significance as the current tenure of the IOA ends in December 2026 and elections have to be held under the new governance framework.All affiliated National Sports Federations (NSFs) and State Olympic Associations (SOAs) are expected to attend the meeting, which is scheduled ahead of the official Indian contingent’s elimination ceremony for the Asian Games on the same day. The meeting will bring together the members of the IOA to discuss and adopt the constitutional provisions required by the new law.The changes are necessary before the IOA can proceed with its election process. Football, athletics and cycling are among the first NSFs to have already amended their bylaws to comply with the law, sources said.SGBM will also assume importance in the process of appointment of Returning Officer (RO) for IOA elections. Constitutional amendments need to be adopted and then ratified so that the electoral machinery can be put in place under the new legal framework, with elections to be held no later than 10 December.Selected provisions of the law entered into force on 1 January 2026. While several federations have started to harmonize their constitutions, some are finding the process difficult. A key issue is the requirement that executive committees have no more than 15 members, with some federations seeking to restructure their existing bodies accordingly. Others are facing difficulties in identifying athletes of exceptional merit (SOM), with provisions regarding age limits, tenure and cooling-off periods also emerging as problems.The National Sports Board (NSB) envisaged by the Act will have the power to recognize or de-recognise the NSF. The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) will also eventually have to come under the regulatory framework of the Act. Once the NSB becomes operational and the new framework takes full shape, the BCCI will have to apply for fresh recognition as a national sports body and conduct its elections as per the law.