New Delhi, Nov. 10 -- PT Usha's hopes of retaining the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) presidency have suffered a serious blow after she failed to make the cut in the election of female Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs) on Monday, putting her continuation at the top of the country's Olympic administration in considerable doubt.
The 62-year-old finished fifth among six contenders in the virtual election, which offered four places in the category. Olympic medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal, former world-class long jumper Anju Bobby George, ex-archer Dola Banerjee and former India women's hockey captain Rani Rampal secured the available positions, leaving Usha outside the group that will form part of the IOA General Assembly.
Anju emerged as the m...