In a move aimed at strengthening athlete rights and institutionalising their role in sports governance, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Athletes Commission convened a high-level meeting in the national capital on Thursday to chart out a comprehensive reform roadmap.
Held at the Olympic Bhawan here, the meeting brought together key members of the Commission including Sharath Kamal, OP Kharana, Bhavani Devi and Shiva Keshavan, while PV Sindhu, Rani Rampal, and Bajrang Lal joined virtually. Olympic greats Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang also contributed their inputs remotely.
In a statement, the IOA said the meeting marked “a significant milestone in the journey towards prioritising athlete welfare and perspectives.”
One of the major takeaways from the meeting was the decision to establish a dedicated Athletes Department within the IOA to streamline communication and address concerns in a more structured manner. “This department will play a pivotal role in ensuring that athletes have a structured channel for feedback and support,” the IOA said.
The Commission also agreed to enhance athlete representation in governance bodies. It plans to request each National Sports Federation (NSF) to provide information on their respective Athletes Commission members.
“This will help build a comprehensive framework for gathering feedback from athletes across all sports disciplines,” the IOA stated, “ensuring that athlete perspectives are officially presented in decision-making forums.”
Athlete protection was another key area of focus, with the Commission initiating plans to develop a safeguarding mechanism that will prioritise both the physical and mental well-being of athletes.
Anti-doping measures
n its commitment to promoting clean sport, the Athletes Commission also reaffirmed its collaboration with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The partnership will focus on expanding anti-doping education and reinforcing compliance.
“Education about anti-doping is critical in upholding fair play and the integrity of sport,” said the IOA.
Support for athletes post-retirement was another focal point. The Commission announced an athlete career pathway initiative to assist sportspersons in transitioning to roles in coaching, administration and other sports-related fields.
“To demonstrate this commitment, the IOA will onboard two Olympian interns who will work directly with the Athletes Commission on its initiatives,” the IOA announced.
Funding for these athlete-centric programs was also addressed. The Commission acknowledged support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), which have extended grants of USD 10,000 and USD 5,000, respectively. These funds will be used to host a National Athletes Forum later this year, which will bring together athlete representatives from all NSFs to chart out long-term engagement strategies.
“The IOA Athletes Commission is poised to play a transformative role in shaping the future of sport in India. We aim to empower athletes, ensure their voices are heard, and support them holistically throughout and beyond their careers,” the IOA concluded.