Rajeshwari Kumari elected to OCA Athletes Commission at Asian Games
Synopsis
Rajeshwari Kumari — Paris Olympian and 2023 Asian Games silver medallist — has become only the second Indian ever elected to the OCA Athletes Commission, unanimously backed to represent South Asia in the 2026–2030 term. It is a quiet but significant milestone for Indian sport's institutional footprint in Asian athletics governance.
Key Takeaways
Rajeshwari Kumari was unanimously elected to the OCA Athletes Commission at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya on 4 October 2026 .
She is the second Indian on the OCA Athletes Commission, joining Vice-Chairman Shiva Keshavan .
Rajeshwari will represent South Asian athletes on the commission for the 2026–2030 term .
She is a 2023 Asian Games silver medallist in Women's Trap and a Paris Olympics representative.
Her nomination was backed by the Indian Olympic Association and its President Dr.
A total of 5,215 votes were cast in the election, held from 20 September to 2 October .
Former India trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari has been unanimously elected as a member of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Athletes Commission, following the conclusion of the Athletes Committee elections at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya in Nagoya, Japan, on 4 October 2026. She was nominated by the OCA Executive Board to represent the South Asian region, making her the second Indian to serve on the commission.
A Historic Appointment for Indian Sport
Rajeshwari joins Vice-Chairman Shiva Keshavan as the only Indians to have served on the OCA Athletes Commission. Widely known as Ria, she won a silver medal in Women's Trap at the 2023 Asian Games and represented India at the Paris Olympic Games. Her appointment is seen as a recognition of her competitive career and her standing within the Asian Games movement.
The nomination was backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and its President, Dr. P. T. Usha. Rajeshwari will represent athletes across South Asia on the commission during the 2026–2030 term.
What Rajeshwari Said
'I am deeply honoured and humbled by this recognition. I am sincerely grateful to the Indian Olympic Association, its President, Dr. P. T. Usha, and the IOA for placing their trust in me and nominating me for this prestigious honour,' Rajeshwari said.
She added: 'Having experienced sport and competition as an athlete myself, I understand the aspirations, challenges and dreams that lie behind every athlete's journey. I look forward to contributing with sincerity and commitment, and to doing my part to strengthen the voice of athletes and serve the Olympic Movement with integrity.'
Other Newly Elected Members
Four additional members were elected to the OCA Athletes Committee: Amir Maimuratov from Kazakhstan, Reem Al Sharshani from Qatar, Naoto Tobe from Japan, and Thanyalak Chophibunsin from Thailand. A total of nine candidates contested for four places on the committee, representing West Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
How the Election Was Conducted
Athletes attending the 20th Asian Games cast their votes at polling stations on the cruise ship athletes' village, temporary villas at Garden Pier, and at one of 75 hotels. A total of 5,215 votes were cast during the election period, which ran from 20 September to 2 October.
What the Commission Will Focus On
The newly constituted OCA Athletes Commission will now begin its programme of activities for the 2026–2030 term, with a stated focus on strengthening athlete representation and ensuring that athletes' voices contribute meaningfully to the development of sport across Asia. The committee is expected to formally convene in the coming weeks.
Point of View
If still limited, deepening of India's footprint in Asian sports governance. With only two Indians ever on the OCA Athletes Commission, the representation gap remains real. The IOA's decision to nominate an active-era Olympian rather than a retired icon signals a shift in strategy, but the commission's actual influence on athlete welfare policy will depend on how robustly the 2026–2030 agenda is pursued. India's growing medal count at Asian Games needs to be matched by proportionate institutional weight — elections like this are a step, not a destination.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rajeshwari Kumari and why has she been appointed to the OCA Athletes Commission?
Rajeshwari Kumari is a former Indian trap shooter, a silver medallist in Women's Trap at the 2023 Asian Games, and a Paris Olympics representative. She was unanimously elected to the OCA Athletes Commission to represent South Asian athletes for the 2026–2030 term, nominated by the OCA Executive Board on the recommendation of the Indian Olympic Association.
What is the OCA Athletes Commission?
The Olympic Council of Asia Athletes Commission is a body that represents the interests of athletes from across Asia within the OCA's governance structure. It works to ensure that athletes' voices inform decisions about sport development, competition formats, and welfare policies across the Asian Games movement.
Is Rajeshwari Kumari the first Indian on the OCA Athletes Commission?
No, she is the second. Shiva Keshavan, who serves as Vice-Chairman of the commission, was the first Indian to hold a position on the body. Rajeshwari's election makes India one of the few countries with more than one representative on the commission.
How was the OCA Athletes Commission election conducted at the Asian Games?
Athletes attending the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya voted at polling stations on the cruise ship athletes' village, temporary villas at Garden Pier, and at 75 hotels. A total of 5,215 votes were cast between 20 September and 2 October 2026.
What will the OCA Athletes Commission focus on in its 2026–2030 term?
The commission will focus on strengthening athlete representation and ensuring that athletes' perspectives contribute to sport development across Asia. The newly constituted body — including Rajeshwari and four other newly elected members — is expected to begin its formal programme of activities shortly.
