New Delhi: PT Usha has received a major reprieve amid the controversy surrounding the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) elections, with the returning officer accepting her nomination through the Ice Hockey Federation. The IOA has rejected complaints challenging her nomination on the grounds that she has no association with the sport of ice hockey. The decision clears the way for Usha to vote and contest in the upcoming elections.

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Usha was nominated to the Ice Hockey Association's council after losing the election to the IOA General Council. However, Ajit Kakkar, who claims to be the vice-president of the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI), lodged a complaint with Electoral Officer Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, arguing that Usha had no connection with ice hockey and that her nomination should therefore be rejected.

Around four complaints were reportedly filed against Usha. However, the returning officer dismissed them. One of the key questions raised was whether a person who had never participated in a particular sport could represent an organisation associated with that discipline. The IOA's response was that its constitution contained no such restriction. The returning officer subsequently confirmed the approval of the list of representatives.

Usha had earlier lost the election to the IOA General Council but managed to make a dramatic return to the assembly through a nomination by the Ice Hockey Federation as its women’s representative.

In the election for four women athlete representatives to the IOA General Council, the incumbent president Usha finished fifth. She subsequently alleged that unfair tactics had been employed to defeat her. A rival faction had fielded a special panel to challenge her, prompting Usha to lodge a complaint.

Following her electoral defeat, it was widely believed that her chances of returning to the IOA Council had come to an end. To secure a place, she needed to be nominated by a sports federation. As a former athlete, Usha could have been nominated by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). However, the AFI selected Bengali athlete Jyotirmoyee Sikdar as its woman representative.

With that option closed, Usha's prospects appeared bleak until the Ice Hockey Federation nominated her as its woman representative.

Usha played a significant role, as IOA president, in bringing the 2030 Commonwealth Games to India. She also enjoys considerable recognition in sporting circles as an internationally renowned athlete. Sports administrators are believed to view her presence in the IOA as an asset to India's efforts to secure the hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games.

It is against this backdrop that Usha's return to the IOA, reportedly facilitated by interventions at higher levels, has assumed significance.