The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will bring together current and former athletes, athlete representatives and key stakeholders in Ahmedabad on 10 January for the country’s first National Athletes’ Forum. The event marks a significant step towards athlete-centred governance, aiming to turn frontline feedback into concrete reforms that protect athlete welfare and improve accountability across Indian sport.
National Athletes’ Forum India to prioritise rights and welfare
The Forum will address a wide range of issues that affect athletes’ careers and well-being. Key topics include athlete rights and responsibilities, ethical and transparent governance, safe sport and integrity, mental health and well-being, anti-doping education, grievance redressal and structured career transition pathways. IOA officials say the discussions will be solution-oriented, with a clear focus on converting athlete input into actionable policy changes.
IOA President P T Usha described the gathering as a turning point in India’s sporting governance. She said athlete voices will no longer be peripheral and that the Forum signals a decisive shift towards athlete-led reform, accountability and shared decision-making. The IOA has framed the meeting as more than consultation; it intends the Forum to be a platform where athletes can actively influence policies that affect their welfare and future.
MC Marykom, Chair of the IOA Athletes’ Commission, emphasised the value of insider perspectives. She noted that athletes understand the systems they operate in and that the Forum offers a credible space to speak openly about challenges and suggest improvements. “This initiative will help to ensure that athlete experiences are reflected in governance and reform,” she said.
Active athletes are also contributing directly. Sharath Kamal, Vice Chairman of the IOA Athletes’ Commission, pointed out that policy decisions often impact athletes long after they have been made. He welcomed the opportunity for athletes to be heard before decisions are finalised and argued that early engagement will help build a more transparent and accountable sporting ecosystem.
Organisers say the Forum is intended to strengthen the role of the Athletes’ Commission and to contribute meaningfully to the evolution of athlete-centred governance in India. Discussions will include mechanisms for grievance redressal and pathways to support athletes in life after competition, ensuring that career transition receives structured attention alongside performance and integrity issues.
The Forum takes place ahead of the IOA’s Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 9 January in Ahmedabad. By scheduling the two meetings back-to-back, the IOA aims to place athlete welfare at the forefront of its agenda and to fast-track any recommendations that arise from the Forum into the association’s governance processes.
Stakeholders from national federations, coaching bodies and support services are expected to attend, alongside current competitors and retired athletes. The IOA has signalled that follow-up mechanisms will be put in place to monitor implementation of agreed reforms and to ensure continued athlete participation in policy-making.
For many within India’s sports community, the National Athletes’ Forum India represents a long-awaited move towards greater inclusion and accountability. By centring athlete perspectives, the IOA is seeking to create policies that safeguard dignity, safety and well-being while supporting sustained excellence in sport.
Key Takeaways:
- The National Athletes’ Forum India will convene in Ahmedabad on 10 January to put athletes at the centre of sports governance.
- Discussions will cover athlete rights, safe sport, mental health, anti-doping education and career transition.
- The IOA aims to convert athlete feedback into actionable reforms and strengthen the Athletes’ Commission.
- The event precedes the IOA Annual General Meeting on 9 January and brings current and former athletes together for solution-focused dialogue.
