- Delighted to see so many women representatives in IOA’s Executive Council: IOC member Nita Ambani
- With this, PT Usha becomes the first woman President in the history of IOA and also the first athlete to chair the position.
NE SPORTS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, MUMBAI, DEC 10
Ushering in a new era in country’s sports administration, the legendary PT Usha was on Saturday elected as the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Usha, 58, a multiple Asian Games gold medallist and fourth place finisher in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 400m hurdles final, was declared elected unopposed for the top post in the polls.
The elections were held under the supervision of Supreme Court-appointed retired SC judge L Nageswara Rao. The elevation of Usha to the top job marked an end to the long drawn crisis in the faction-ridden IOA, which was warned of a possible suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if elections are not held this month.
The polls were originally due to be held in December 2021. Usha’s anointment to the top post was a foregone conclusion late last month after she emerged as the lone candidate for the top post.
Nobody was willing to fight against Usha, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in July.
Delighted to see so many women representatives in IOA’s Executive Council: IOC member Nita Ambani
Nita M Ambani, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from India & Founder Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, on Saturday, congratulated PT Usha on becoming the new President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), calling it a testament to the growing inclusivity in Indian sports and how girls and women continue to lead India’s charge towards becoming a global sports nation. One of India’s most successful athletes and a flag-bearer of Indian sports globally, PT Usha was elected as the President of IOA, today along with a new Executive Council. With this, PT Usha becomes the first woman President in the history of IOA and also the first athlete to chair the position.
Nita M Ambani, IOC member from India and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, said, “It gives me immense joy to welcome Smt. PT Usha as the first woman President of the Indian Olympic Association. I remember watching her with pride as she represented our country and won laurels for India. She has been a towering inspiration to millions as an athlete, and I am sure she will shine in this new role as well. Our women athletes have led the charge in making India a global sporting powerhouse, and I’m delighted to see so many women representatives now in IOA’s Executive Council.”
Ambani added, “I congratulate all newly elected IOA members and look forward to partnering with them. This is a landmark moment for Indian sport and a giant leap forward in strengthening the Olympic Movement in our country.”
Ambani has been a strong endorser of making India a multi-sport nation with an ‘athlete first’ policy and the importance of the contribution by women both on and off the field. Reliance Foundation has been working extensively towards the holistic development of athletes to support them with 360-degree initiatives which include providing world-class sporting facilities, coaching and best-in-class assistance in sports science and medicine.
देश भर में 15 अगस्त 2023 तक 1000 खेलो इंडिया केंद्र खोले जाएंगे। 1000 केंद्रों में से 733 केंद्रों को पहले ही मंजूरी दी जा चुकी है।
श्री @ianuragthakur , भारत में खेलों को बढ़ावा देने की आवश्यकता और सरकार द्वारा उठाए गए कदमों पर चर्चा @LokSabhaSectt pic.twitter.com/VOm00zAf1O
— Office of Mr. Anurag Thakur (@Anurag_Office) December 9, 2022
Double Olympic medallist shuttler PV Sindhu, who is a member of the IOA Athletes Commission, congratulated Usha on her historic appointment. “First I would like to congratulate Ma’am (Usha). She herself is a legend in athletics. She is also an MP right now and so I think right now this is something new for the sport. She will definitely do well and I wish her all the very best,” Sindhu said.
“It is a really good thing (first time a woman heading the IOA) because she will understand the need of other sportpersons, it will help them and she will take it to another level. I am very happy and sure that sport is going to another level.”
Ajay Patel of National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) was elected unopposed as senior vice-president. Patel is also the chairman of the Gujarat State Co-operative Bank.
Olympic medallist shooter Gagan Narang and Rowing Federation of India president Rajlaxmi Singh Deo were elected unopposed as vice presidents.
Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) president Sahdev Yadav was elected the treasurer. All India Football Federation (AIFF) president and former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey has been elected unopposed as the joint secretary (male). Alaknanda Ashok of Badminton Association of India (BAI) was elected as joint secretary (female), defeating Suman Kaushik of Netball Federation of India 48-21 in a direct fight.
