New Delhi, November 9:Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha suffered a major setback in the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections on Monday, losing her bid for a women's representative position. Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal and former sporting stars Anju Bobby George, Rani Rampal and Dola Banerjee emerged victorious, securing all four available positions.

Anju Bobby George topped the poll with 53 valid votes, followed by Rani Rampal with 50, Dola Banerjee with 45 and Saina Nehwal with 43 votes. PT Usha secured 40 votes, while Anitha Paul Durai received six votes. A total of 80 votes were cast in the women's category.

Usha's defeat is being viewed as a significant development in the IOA, particularly as she made history in December 2022 by becoming the first woman to head the country's apex Olympic body.

The election outcome comes ahead of the December 5 polls to elect the IOA Executive Council for the 2026-2030 term, adding a new dimension to the impending leadership contest.

Meanwhile, the four male SOM representatives have already been elected unopposed after eight of the 12 candidates withdrew from the race. The elected members include Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt and Vijender Singh, along with former table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta.

The SOM representatives will become members of the IOA General Assembly and will have the right to vote and contest in the December 5 Executive Council elections. Of these representatives, one male and one female member will also secure positions in the Executive Council.

With the women's election producing a result against the incumbent IOA president, attention has now shifted to the December 5 polls, which will determine the future leadership and governing structure of the Indian Olympic Association.