New Delhi: In a significant development in Indian sports administration, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has lost the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections in the women's category.

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Former athletes Anju Bobby George, Saina Nehwal, Rani Rampal and Dola Banerjee have been elected to the four available positions, defeating Usha, who was among the six candidates in the contest.

The results mark a setback for the incumbent IOA president as the association prepares for its Executive Council elections on December 5.

The women's category witnessed a contest between six prominent sporting personalities for four positions.

In addition to the four elected candidates and Usha, former basketball player Anitha Paul Durai was also in the running.

The SOM elections are an important part of the IOA's electoral process for the 2026-2030 term.

Elected representatives become members of the IOA General Assembly, gaining the right to vote and contest the association's Executive Council elections.

The men's category, meanwhile, was decided unopposed after eight candidates withdrew.

Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt and Vijender Singh, along with former table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta, secured the four male SOM positions.

The elections assume significance as the IOA prepares to elect its next Executive Council on December 5. The new leadership will oversee Indian Olympic sports during the 2026-2030 term.

PT Usha became the first woman to head the Indian Olympic Association when she was elected president in December 2022.

Her defeat in the SOM elections comes amid growing attention around the association's upcoming leadership contest, with Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal also emerging as a prominent name in discussions surrounding the next IOA leadership.

However, the SOM election and the presidential election are separate contests. The December 5 polls will determine the composition of the association's next Executive Council.