IOA’s athlete-first push begins in Ahmedabad with 2030 Commonwealth games in focus
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As India positions itself as a potential global sporting host — including a possible bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games — the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is shifting its focus inward, placing athletes at the centre of governance reforms.
On January 10, the IOA will host its first-ever National Athletes’ Forum in Ahmedabad, marking a significant step toward athlete-led decision-making in Indian sport. Scheduled a day after the IOA’s Annual General Meeting, the forum aims to give athletes a direct voice in shaping policies that affect their careers and well-being.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that global sporting ambition must be supported by strong internal systems — not just medals or mega events, but athlete welfare, transparency, and long-term support.
“For too long, athletes have been consulted last on matters that directly impact them,” said MC Mary Kom, Chair of the IOA Athletes’ Commission. “This forum gives athletes a credible platform to raise concerns, share solutions, and ensure their experiences inform governance and reform.”
Representing active athletes, table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal, Vice-Chairman of the commission, stressed the importance of timing in decision-making. “Policies often affect athletes long after decisions are made. This forum allows athletes to be heard before those decisions, helping build a more transparent and accountable sporting ecosystem,” he said.
Discussions will focus on key areas such as athlete rights, governance transparency, ethical leadership, mental health, and long-term career support — issues increasingly shaping international sport and likely to come under sharper scrutiny if India pursues hosting ambitions around 2030.
IOA President P T Usha described the forum as a structural shift toward shared decision-making and athlete-led reform, emphasising that strong institutions begin with empowered athletes.
As India looks toward hosting major multi-sport events, the success of such initiatives may prove as critical as infrastructure readiness. Empowered athletes, officials believe, are not just competitors — they are stakeholders, ambassadors, and the true measure of a functioning sports ecosystem.