PT Usha defeated in IOA Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit election; Saina Nehwal among four women elected

PT Usha lost the IOA Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit elections, ending her hopes of contesting for a second term as president, in a report published on November 9, 2026.

Saina Nehwal, Rani Rampal, Anju Bobby George and Dola Banerjee were elected among the women, while four male athletes were chosen unopposed.

The elected members are now eligible to contest the December 5 IOA elections.