Indian Athletes Commission within the IOA begins initiative to boost athlete influence
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Athletes Commission has taken significant steps to empower Indian athletes, focusing on the creation of a dedicated Athletes Department, ensuring athlete representation, safeguarding mechanisms, anti-doping education, and the development of career pathways.
The Commission has established a dedicated Athletes Department within the IOA, staffed with professionals to address athlete needs and provide a formal channel for athlete feedback and support. This initiative aims to ensure that athletes have a structured platform for their concerns and queries.
To ensure robust athlete representation in governance, the IOA is requesting each National Sports Federation (NSF) to identify their Athletes Commission representatives. This will enable the IOA to gather feedback across sports disciplines and represent the athlete viewpoint in decision-making structures.
On safeguarding, the Commission discussed setting up mechanisms to protect athletes' rights and well-being, including protection from harassment or abuse. This is part of a broader athlete welfare push within the IOA. The Commission emphasized the need for anti-doping education and collaborative efforts with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to raise awareness and educate athletes and coaches about doping issues.
For career pathways, the IOA proposes structured programs to support athletes’ transition post-retirement by providing opportunities in coaching, sports administration, and other fields. Partnerships with universities, corporates, and multinational firms are envisaged to facilitate this transition.
The Commission also plans to organize a National Athletes Forum with representatives from all NSFs to discuss athlete-centric issues and chart future engagement strategies. This forum is expected to play a significant role in shaping the landscape of sports in India.
To reinforce these initiatives, the IOA will hire two Olympian interns to contribute directly to the Commission’s programs.
These efforts mark a significant stride in fostering an athlete-centric environment within Indian sports governance, emphasizing holistic support—from safeguarding and anti-doping to career development beyond active competition. The initiative is driven by prominent athletes like Sharath Kamal (Vice-Chair), PV Sindhu, Bajrang Lal, Rani Rampal, and others, reflecting a committed athlete-led governance approach.
The IOA Athletes Commission held a meeting on August 8, where key decisions were made, including the establishment of the dedicated Athletes Department. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) provide grants to support these initiatives, with the IOC offering USD 10,000 and the OCA offering USD 5,000.
With these initiatives, the IOA Athletes Commission is poised to transform the sports landscape in India, ensuring that athletes' voices are heard and their needs are met.
- The IOA Athletes Commission is considering organizing an Athlete Forum for discussions about the sports environment and future engagement strategies, reflecting their focus on education in sports governance.
- In addition to safeguarding mechanisms and anti-doping education, the IOA's new Athletes Department will also focus on career development for athletes, providing opportunities in various fields such as coaching and sports administration.
- The IOA has plans to collaborate with universities, corporates, and multinational firms to help athletes transition smoothly into new careers after their athletic careers are over, demonstrating their commitment to a comprehensive education and career support system.
