Sports · Other Sports · 1 day ago
IOA sets December 5 date for Executive Council elections
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), India’s national Olympic body, will elect a new Executive Council on December 5.
The council will serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.
Former Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Srivastava has been appointed to oversee the elections.
Voting for the IOA Athletes’ Commission comes first, on November 3, with 10 elected members: five women and five men.
National Sports Federations must nominate two athlete representatives by 2 p.m.
on October 11.
The election process will follow national sports governance laws and the IOA’s amended constitution and rules.
The leadership change comes as India pursues a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, while the International Olympic Committee’s host-selection process remains ongoing.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will elect its new Executive Council on December 5, 2026, for a four-year term running from 2026 to 2030.
The IOA appointed former Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Srivastava as returning officer to oversee elections for the Executive Council, Athletes’ Commission and Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit category.
Polling, counting and the declaration of results for the Athletes’ Commission are scheduled for November 3, with National Sports Federations required to nominate two athlete representatives by 2 p.m. on October 11.
The Athletes’ Commission will have 10 elected members: five men and five women, with rules setting out representation for Olympic-category athletes and athletes with achievements at major competitions.
The elections will be held under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, its 2026 rules, the amended IOA Constitution and applicable election regulations.
The leadership transition comes as India pursues its ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games; the IOA says its governance should be strong and athlete-centred.
- Who
- The Indian Olympic Association; Sanjay Kumar Srivastava was appointed returning officer.
- What
- Elections for the IOA Executive Council, preceded by elections for the Athletes’ Commission.
- When
- Athletes’ Commission polling is scheduled for November 3, 2026; Executive Council elections are scheduled for December 5, 2026.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To elect the IOA’s next Executive Council and conduct the electoral process under the applicable sports-governance framework.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Our objective is to build strong, credible and athlete-centric institutions, fully aligned with the Olympic Charter and the national sports governance framework,
The appointment of an experienced former Election Commissioner as Electoral Officer/Returning Officer underlines our commitment to an independent, transparent and credible electoral process.
The IOA brought its constitution into line with the National Sports Governance Act, except for one provision, at a Special General Body Meeting.
Applications opened for inclusion in the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit roster.
The IOA announced the December 5 Executive Council election and appointed Sanjay Kumar Srivastava as returning officer.
Polling, counting and the declaration of results for the Athletes’ Commission are scheduled to take place.
The IOA is scheduled to elect its new Executive Council.
- Executive Council election
- December 5, 2026
- Executive Council term
- Four years, 2026–2030
- Returning officer
- Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, former Election Commissioner of Delhi and Chandigarh
- Athletes’ Commission election
- November 3, 2026; 10 elected members, five men and five women
- Athlete nomination deadline
- 2 p.m. on October 11, 2026
- India’s Olympic ambition
- To host the 2036 Olympic Games






