‘Lobby manipulated outcome to push me to fifth place’: PT Usha alleges targeted sabotage behind IOA SOM election defeat

Sprint legend PT Usha has claimed that her defeat in the election to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) General Council was not accidental, alleging it was orchestrated by internal lobbies within the sports body.

Speaking following the announcement of the female athlete representative election results, the IOA President expressed suspicion over the outcome after finishing fifth in the voting.

"Victory and defeat are not new to me; I have experienced both since the seventh grade," Usha said. "However, my defeat in the election to the IOA General Council was no coincidence. It was meticulously planned and executed by certain lobbies, likely those disgruntled by the clean-up within the IOA."

Questions over voting process

When asked who might be behind the move, Usha pointed to internal political ambitions within the administration.

"Despite major achievements during this period, if someone like me finishes fifth, there must be a reason," she stated. "Those who engineered the defeat know why, though they will not admit it. It is up to the media and relevant authorities to investigate. Had I placed in any of the top four positions, it would have been difficult for presidential hopefuls to secure the role. Hence, that lobby deliberately manipulated the outcome to push me to fifth place."

She added that several voting members had raised concerns over the tallies conducted via the online voting system. "Given what we achieved, I had full confidence. Even members who participated in the voting have expressed doubts about the final figures."

Reforms and future plans

Usha highlighted key achievements during her tenure, noting that her leadership followed a strategic vision laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We revived the National Games after a two-year hiatus, brought the 2030 Commonwealth Games to India, and completed 35 per cent of the groundwork required to host the 2036 Olympic Games in the country," she said. "Fundamentally, the IOA made immense progress. We expanded the association's reserves from ₹2 crore to ₹100 crore, reorganised disrupted state-level associations, and revitalised support for athletes. Furthermore, the Asian Games in Japan concluded without a single complaint."

Reflecting on her administrative future, Usha expressed gratitude for her initial appointment. "I became IOA President without prior involvement in the association's politics, and I remain indebted to the Prime Minister for the opportunity."

She noted that members could still nominate her as a Sportsperson of Merit (SOM). "If I hold no official post, I will spend more time at my athletics school and home, while focusing on my duties as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha," she concluded.