Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are among 10 sportspersons elected unopposed to the Athletes’ Commission of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for the 2026-2030 term, with the elections scheduled for Tuesday (November 3), rendered unnecessary after the withdrawal of two candidates.
The Returning Officer, Sanjay K Srivastava, declared all 10 candidates elected unopposed after former track and field athlete Sudha Singh withdrew her candidature late on Monday night. Ace badminton player Kidambi Srikanth had also pulled out of the race earlier on Monday (November 2).
With only 10 candidates remaining for 10 available positions, the IOA did not need to conduct the scheduled virtual polls.
The newly elected Athletes’ Commission will play an important role in the IOA’s governance, with its representatives set to participate in the Executive Council elections on December 5.
Here is everything you need to know about the IOA Athletes’ Commission, its members, election process and responsibilities.
IOA Athletes’ Commission 2026-30: Full List Of Members
The 10-member Athletes’ Commission comprises five male and five female sportspersons, representing different sports and Olympic disciplines.
| Athlete | Sport |
|---|---|
| PV Sindhu | Badminton |
| Mirabai Chanu | Weightlifting |
| Harmanpreet Singh | Hockey |
| Salima Tete | Hockey |
| Swapnil Kusale | Shooting |
| Bhavani Devi | Fencing |
| Tajinderpal Singh Toor | Athletics |
| Bombayla Devi | Archery |
| Sajan Prakash | Swimming |
| Manjeet Singh | Kayaking and Canoeing |
Sindhu, Chanu and Bhavani Devi were also members of the outgoing Athletes’ Commission, which was headed by celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom.
The new commission will serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.
Why Were The IOA Athletes’ Commission Elections Uncontested?
The IOA had scheduled elections for 10 positions in the Athletes’ Commission, with five seats reserved for male athletes and five for female athletes.
However, the withdrawal of Kidambi Srikanth and Sudha Singh reduced the number of candidates to exactly 10.
With one candidate remaining for each position, the Returning Officer declared all 10 candidates elected unopposed.
“Under the circumstances … the election of the Athletes’ Commission for 10 members, five (5) males and five (5) females, as scheduled on 3rd November 2026, will not serve any purpose as there is only one (1) candidate against one (1) post in each category of the members of the Athletes’ Commission,” the Returning Officer said.
The elections were originally scheduled to be held in virtual mode.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria For The IOA Athletes’ Commission?
The IOA’s election rules prescribe a specific representation structure for the 10-member Athletes’ Commission.
The commission must include:
- Four athletes two male and two female who have won at least one medal in any of the last three editions of the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, World Cups or National Games.
- Six athletes three male and three female who have participated in at least one of the last three editions of the Olympic Games.
The criteria ensure that the commission includes both athletes with Olympic experience and sportspersons who have achieved success at major international and national competitions.
Olympic Games Representation
The following athletes were elected unopposed under the category of sportspersons who have participated in at least one of the last three editions of the Olympic Games:
Male athletes:
- Harmanpreet Singh
- Sajan Prakash
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor
Female athletes:
- PV Sindhu
- Mirabai Chanu
- Bombayla Devi
Medal-Winning Athletes’ Representation
The following athletes were elected under the category of sportspersons who have won at least one medal in the last three editions of the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, World Cups or National Games:
Male athletes:
- Manjeet Singh
- Swapnil Kusale
Female athletes:
- Salima Tete
- Bhavani Devi
The candidates were the only ones to file nominations in their respective categories, resulting in their unopposed election.
What Is The Role Of The IOA Athletes’ Commission?
The Athletes’ Commission serves as a platform for sportspersons to participate in the governance of the Indian Olympic Association.
The commission provides athletes with representation in the IOA’s decision-making structure and ensures that their perspectives are considered in matters concerning Indian sport.
The newly elected commission will also play a role in the IOA’s upcoming Executive Council elections.
How Will The Athletes’ Commission Influence The IOA Executive Council Elections?
The 10-member commission will elect its chairperson and vice chairperson, with one male and one female athlete to occupy the two positions.
Both the chairperson and vice chairperson will become members of the IOA Executive Council.
In addition, two members of the Athletes’ Commission one male and one female will be elected as representatives to the IOA General Body with voting rights.
These two representatives will participate in the IOA Executive Council elections scheduled for December 5.
The elections for the chairperson, vice chairperson and the two General Body representatives will be conducted separately at a later date.
How Was The IOA Athletes’ Commission Election Process Conducted?
The IOA election process began with the identification of eligible athletes and the formation of an electoral college.
On October 16, Returning Officer Sanjay K Srivastava issued a list of 34 electoral college members, comprising two representatives each from 17 National Sports Federations.
The 34 athletes’ representatives were scheduled to cast their votes in the virtual election on November 3.
However, the withdrawal of two candidates meant that the electoral college did not have to vote.
The Returning Officer subsequently declared all 10 candidates elected unopposed, completing the formation of the Athletes’ Commission for the 2026-2030 term.
The commission will now proceed with the election of its office-bearers and representatives to the IOA General Body, ahead of the December 5 Executive Council elections.