In a major development for Indian sport, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT USHA has lost the election for Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM), which took place on Monday (November 9). India's first-ever Badminton Olympic medalist, Saina Nehwal, as well as the country's only female medalist in Athletics World Championship history, Anju Bobby George.
\n\nA total of six women were fighting the election for four spots. Nehwal and Anju have been joined by former Indian Hockey captain Rani Rampal as well as former archer Dola Banerjee. Usha finished fifth in the race, while former basketball star Anitha Pauldurai finished 6th.
\n\nAnju got the most votes (53), while Rani (50 was not far behind. Dolly (45) and Saina (43) narrowly beat Usha (40) in the tightly fought elections. Meanwhile, Pauldurai (6) finished last in the elections. Meanwhile, Gagan Narang, Kamlesh Navinchandra Mehta, Yogeshwar Dutt and Vijender Singh had already been elected unopposed as the four SOMs from the male category.
\n\nBig Blow To PT Usha's Hopes Of Re-Election
\n\nThe timing of the results is extremely important as it comes just a month before the IOA President elections in December. It will now appear increasingly likely that the governing body will have…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports
