IOA Athletes’ Commission election: 9 sports, 10 seats and uneven representation

NEW DELHI: With 12 athletes from nine sports in the fray for 10 elected positions in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Athletes’ Commission, the application of a key provision in the election rules has emerged as an important consideration -- how to ensure maximum representation of different sports in the Commission.Rule 8.6 of the IOA Athletes’ Commission Rules, 2026 states that, “as far as practicable”, the composition of the Commission should seek “maximum representation from all sports affiliated with IOA”. It adds that, as a guiding principle, “an endeavour shall be made to ensure that there is not more than one Athlete from any one particular sport”.

The provision assumes significance in the ongoing election, with the draft list of nominations showing candidates from nine sports competing for 10 positions — five male and five female.The 12 nominees are Manjeet Singh (kayaking and canoeing), Swapnil Suresh Kusale (shooting), Harmanpreet Singh (hockey), Sajan Prakash (swimming), Kidambi Srikanth (badminton) and Tajinderpal Singh Toor (athletics) in the male category.The female nominees are PV Sindhu (badminton), Salima Tete (hockey), Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), L Bombayla Devi (archery), Sudha Singh (athletics) and Bhavani Devi (fencing).

Athletics, badminton and hockey have candidates in both the male and female categories. The remaining six sports have one nominee each.An opportunity to maximise diversityThe current nomination pattern presents an opportunity to give representation to all nine sports in the 10-member Commission, with one sport having two representatives.Such a composition would align with the guiding principle under Rule 8.6, provided the mandatory eligibility and category requirements are met and the outcome is consistent with the prescribed election process.The provision does not, however, establish a separate quota for each sport or specify which sport should have two representatives. Nor does it expressly authorise the Electoral Officer (Returning Officer) to override the election outcome to achieve a preferred composition.Instead, the wording places emphasis on what is practicable and calls for an endeavour to avoid multiple representatives from the same sport.Mandatory requirements remain centralThe Rules also prescribe specific requirements for the Commission’s composition. Under Rule 8.1, the 10 elected members must comprise five male and five female athletes.Rule 8.2 provides that six of the elected members must have participated in at least one of the last three editions of the Olympic Games. Rule 8.3 specifies that these six must include three male and three female athletes.

The remaining four members, under Rule 8.5, must feature two male and two female athletes who have won at least one medal in any of the last three editions of the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championship/Cup or National Games.Rule 8.4 further states that, as far as practicable, the Olympic-category composition should include at least one athlete from an individual sport and at least one from a team sport.The final composition must give effect to these requirements alongside the guiding principle of maximum sporting representation.