New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president
PT Usha received a big boost to her re-election bid on Sunday after Electoral Officer (RO) Sanjay K Srivastava rejected all objections to her nomination as a female representative of the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI), clearing her path to contest the December 5 Executive Council (EC) elections.
In the formal election notification on Sunday, the EO issued the final electoral college comprising 71 members who will be eligible to contest and vote in the elections.
The electoral college includes 60 representatives from 30 recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs), two elected representatives of the Athletes' Commission, eight elected Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) and India's International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Nita Ambani.
Usha's eligibility had been questioned following objections from rival factions within the IHAI. The objections questioned whether the former track and field athlete was a legitimate member of the federation and, consequently, eligible to represent it in the IOA General Assembly.
The electoral officer sought the federation's response and conducted a hearing on November 14. IHAI representatives, including secretary general…