Nita Ambani becomes first Indian woman to be nominated to International Olympic Committee

New Delhi: Nita Ambani on Friday was nominated as a candidate to be a new International Olympic Committee (IOC) member.

The election for the same will be conducted at the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro between August 2-4. 

If elected, Mrs Ambani will continue to be a member until the age of 70.

She is the founding chairman of the Reliance Foundation and is the first Indian woman to be nominated to the IOC.

Mrs Ambani has been working in the field education and sports for a long time.

“It is truly a great honour and privilege to be nominated by IOC. I am humbled that my name has been recommended for election as a member of the IOC. I believe in the power of sport to consolidate communities and bridge gaps between cultures and generations. My Foundation focuses on how sport can galvanise communities’ particularly in rural areas and develop great leadership. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute in meeting the goals of the IOC," she said.

Sir Dorabji Tata was the first Indian representative in the IOC while Raja Randhir Singh is currently a honorary member of the IOC and he was a member from 2000-2014.

Technically, as per the Olympic Charter and the IOC rules, the category under which Ambani is being considered is the one for volunteers who represent the IOC and Olympic Movement in their country.

They are not delegates of their country within the IOC.

(With PTI inputs)