Hyderabad: In a rare honour for an Indian sportsperson, star shuttler Saina Nehwal has been appointed as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Saina received a letter here Monday night to this effect from IOC president Thomas Bach.
“Following your candidature for the elections of the IOC Athletes’ Commission during the Olympic Games Rio 2016, it is with great pleasure to appoint you in consultation with the Chair, as member of the Athletes’ Commission,” the letter said.
The Athletes’ Commission is chaired by Angela Ruggiero and comprises nine vice-presidents and 10 other members. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for November 6.
Saina’s appointment to the prestigious panel has comes just when she is set to resume practice after recovering from a knee injury. She is expected to return to competitive badminton in end-November or the first week of December.
Saina’s father Harvir Singh expressed happiness over her appointment to the Olympic panel. “I have become very emotional. It is a matter of great privilege for us that they recognised her and to be a part of the IOC. They thought that she could be of some use,” stated Harvir.
Press Trust of India