Archive · 7 Sep 2026
IOA Set to Approve Constitution Changes Under Sports Governance Act
The Indian Olympic Association plans to change its rules.
Members will discuss the changes at a meeting on Tuesday.
The changes are meant to follow the National Sports Governance Act 2025.
The law has different rules about how old office holders can be and how long they can serve.
The current IOA rules set a lower age limit of 70.
The law may allow people aged 70 to 75 to seek office if international rules permit it.
The law may also allow up to three consecutive terms without a break.
The IOA will also discuss when its next election should be held and may reduce its Executive Committee to 15 members.
The Indian Olympic Association will consider constitutional amendments at a Special General Body Meeting on Tuesday.
The changes aim to align the IOA constitution with the National Sports Governance Act 2025.
The proposed rules would address age limits, office-holder tenure, and the size of the Executive Committee.
The General House will discuss a possible date for IOA elections due in December.
Before the election, the Athletes Commission must be reconstituted and Sportspersons of Merit selected as voting members.
- Who
- The Indian Olympic Association, its General House, and its Executive Committee.
- What
- Approval of constitutional amendments to align the IOA with the National Sports Governance Act 2025.
- When
- At a Special General Body Meeting on Tuesday; the IOA election is due in December.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- To bring the IOA constitution into compliance with the National Sports Governance Act 2025.
Existing IOA Constitution
National Sports Governance Act 2025
Age limits
Existing IOA Constitution
The existing IOA constitution bars members aged 70 or older from holding office-bearer posts.
National Sports Governance Act 2025
The Act allows people aged 70 to 75 to contest elections or seek nominations if international charters and statutes permit it.
Terms and cooling-off period
Existing IOA Constitution
The existing rules permit two consecutive terms, followed by a cooling-off period before another term.
National Sports Governance Act 2025
The Act allows up to three consecutive terms for the president, secretary general, or treasurer, separately or in combination, without a cooling-off period.
Executive Committee structure
Existing IOA Constitution
The current arrangement is described as requiring changes to align with the Act.
National Sports Governance Act 2025
Compliance may require the Executive Committee to be reduced to 15 members, including an IOC member in India.
- Meeting
- Special General Body Meeting on Tuesday
- Governing law
- National Sports Governance Act 2025
- Existing IOA age rule
- Office bearers cannot be elected after reaching age 70
- Act's age provision
- People aged 70 to 75 may contest elections or seek nominations if permitted by international charters and statutes
- Existing tenure rule
- Two consecutive terms followed by a cooling-off period
- Act's tenure provision
- Up to three consecutive terms, separately or in combination, without a cooling-off period
- Possible Executive Committee size
- 15 members, including an IOC member in India
