India, Oct. 31 -- IOA president PT Usha, Adille Sumariwalla and Gagan Narang are among 27 former athletes who have filed their nomination to contest for the post of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) in the Indian Olympic Association.

The IOA election is scheduled for December 5, and before that the SOM polls will be held on Nov 9.

The draft list of SOM nominations was announced on Saturday by returning officer Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, a retired IAS officer.

Eight SOMs (4 male and 4 female) will be elected by 80 former athletes (from the SOM roster) for the IOA General Assembly. From among the eight elected, two SOMs, one male and one female, will be elected to the IOA Executive Council. They can also contest the IOA elections. ...