In a major step towards athlete-led governance in Indian sport, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will host the country’s first National Athletes’ Forum on January 10 in Ahmedabad.
The landmark initiative aims to give athletes a direct voice in shaping policies that affect their careers, welfare, and post-competition futures. The Forum will bring together current and former athletes, athlete representatives, and key stakeholders from across the country for focused, solution-driven discussions.
Key themes at the Forum will include athlete rights and responsibilities, ethical and transparent governance, safe sport and integrity, mental health and well-being, anti-doping education, grievance redressal mechanisms, and structured career transition pathways. The IOA said athlete feedback will be channelled into actionable reforms rather than remaining consultative in nature.
Announcing the initiative, IOA President PT Usha described the Forum as a historic shift in Indian sport governance. “This is the first time in India’s sporting history that athletes are being brought together through a dedicated national forum to directly influence governance. Athlete voices can no longer be peripheral, this Forum signals a decisive move towards athlete-led reform, accountability, and shared decision-making,” she said.
Emphasising athlete welfare as a cornerstone of excellence, Usha added, “Sustained success in sport is impossible without safeguarding athlete dignity, safety and well-being. This Forum places athlete welfare at the heart of policy, not as an afterthought.”
MC Mary Kom, Chair of the IOA Athletes’ Commission, said the Forum would provide athletes with a credible platform to drive meaningful change. “Athletes understand the system from the inside. This Forum allows us to speak openly about challenges and solutions, and ensures that athlete experiences are reflected in governance and reform,” she said.
Sharath Kamal, Vice Chairman of the Athletes’ Commission, highlighted the importance of timely athlete input. “Too often, athletes feel the impact of decisions long after policies are framed. This Forum changes that dynamic by ensuring athletes are heard before decisions are taken, helping build a more transparent and accountable sporting ecosystem,” he said.
The choice of Ahmedabad as the host city reflects the IOA’s intent to expand athlete engagement beyond traditional centres and ensure reform-oriented dialogue reaches athletes across regions.