In a landmark move for Indian sports, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is set to organize the country's first-ever National Athletes' Forum. This pioneering event is scheduled for January 10 in Ahmedabad, with a clear mission to fortify athlete-led governance and enhance accountability across the sporting ecosystem.
A Platform for Athlete Voices and Solutions
The Forum will convene a diverse group of current and former athletes, their representatives, and other crucial stakeholders from all over India. The objective is to facilitate direct and solution-focused dialogue. According to the IOA, this is a decisive shift from mere consultation to ensuring athletes wield active and influential power in crafting policies that directly impact their careers, welfare, and future prospects.
The agenda for the day is comprehensive and athlete-centric. Discussions will revolve around several critical pillars:
- Athlete rights and responsibilities
- Ethical and transparent sports governance
- Safe sport, integrity, and anti-doping education
- Mental health and overall well-being
- Effective grievance redressal mechanisms
- Structured pathways for career transition
The core aim is to translate the feedback and experiences shared by athletes into concrete, actionable reforms.
Leadership Hails a Historic Shift in Indian Sports
IOA President, the legendary P T Usha, emphasized the historic nature of this initiative. She stated that this is the first time in India's sporting history that athletes are being assembled through a dedicated national platform to directly shape governance. "Athlete voices can no longer be peripheral," Usha asserted. "This Forum signals a decisive shift towards athlete-led reform, accountability, and shared decision-making." She added that sustained sporting excellence is unattainable without prioritizing athlete dignity, safety, and well-being, positioning these elements at the core of policy rather than as an afterthought.
Insider Perspectives on Governance and Change
MC Marykom, the Chair of the IOA Athletes' Commission, highlighted the unique insight athletes possess. "Athletes know the system from the inside," she said. This Forum provides a credible and powerful platform for athletes to speak openly about challenges and propose practical solutions, ensuring their lived experiences are reflected in governance and reform processes.
Echoing this sentiment, Sharath Kamal, Vice Chairman of the IOA Athletes' Commission, addressed the common lag between policy decisions and their on-ground impact. "As athletes, we often feel the impact of policies long after decisions are made. This Forum changes that equation," Kamal noted. He explained that the platform enables athletes to be heard at the right time—before decisions are finalized—thereby helping to build a more transparent and accountable sporting ecosystem in India.
The IOA affirmed that the Athletes' Forum is expected to significantly strengthen the role of its Athletes' Commission and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of a truly athlete-centered governance model in Indian sports. This event precedes the IOA's Annual General Meeting, which will also be held in Ahmedabad on January 9.
