CHENNAI: Another bizarre election seems to be in the offing. After Athletes Commission members were elected unanimously, another set of people are getting elected without election soon. With the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) election taking an interesting turn, the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) list which was published on Saturday revealed another side of it.
On the male side, the four names – Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Vijender Singh and Yogeshwar Dutt and former Table Tennis star Kamlesh Mehta – have been elected unopposed. Meanwhile, on the female side, where current IOA chief PT Usha’s name figures, there are six members from which four would be elected. The other five in contention are ex-archer Dola Banerjee, former India hockey captain Rani Rampal, Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal, former basketball player Anitha Pauldurai and world championships medallist Anju Bobby George.
This once again seems to be taking the same pattern as last election when there were mass withdrawals, as reported by this newspaper. The last time it was in the Athletes Commission, where entire names except for the eight withdrew. There were around 40 names in 2022. The interesting part of that election was that the process of selecting and electing AC members and SOMs were done from the confines of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
This time too similar pattern seems to be emerging – mass withdrawals. As many as 13 former athletes, eight male and five female, have withdrawn according to the latest notice from the electoral officer. It is understood that some of the athletes were shown their place while some withdrew because they did not get much support. There is a section that believes that even the government is taking keen interest.
The names that feature on the list in male category — Yogeshwar and Vijender are BJP leaders, while Gagan has shifted base to Ahmedabad recently and has a venture or two in the state. Former TT federation secretary Kamlesh Mehta too is seen close to the government.
The six members in the female category would give those interested in the election some worrying time. Because one or two names figuring in the list might not even get enough votes. Another set of people believe that two more athletes might withdraw or letters would have reached the Returning Officer of the IOA late.