Saina Nehwal Set To Win Uncontested In Asian Games Athletes' Committee Poll

Saina Nehwal, the Olympic bronze medalist from India, is expected to win unopposed from the South Asia Zone in the first-ever Athlete Committee poll for the upcoming Asian Games. 

For the first time in history, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is polling athletes to choose 10 members of the Athletes' Committee. 

On Saturday, the name of the London 2012 Olympic bronze medalist was chosen as the single nominee from among 26 nominations to compete for ten spots.

"The athletes will be voting for 10 members of the Athletes' Committee -- one female and one male from each of the five OCA zones: West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia," the OCA stated.

The 33-year-old is anticipated to win unopposed because she is the single nominee. 

Athletes will be able to vote at one of six voting centres from September 18 through October 6, according to the OCA. The polling stations are located in Hangzhou's Athlete Village as well as the sub-athlete villages in the five co-host cities. 

The results will be released on the eve of the Games' conclusion on October 7, and the OCA declared that it is determined to bring as many athletes as possible to the polling booths.

The Athletes' Dining Hall in the main Asian Games Village is already decked up with colourful voting booths, slogans like 'Your Vote, Your Voice' and the all-important QR code that athletes may use to complete the voting process. 

Furthermore, the OCA has created educational posters with photographs of the 26 individuals proposed by the National Olympic Committees for the ten positions.

These banners will increase interest in the elections and allow athletes to see who has been nominated from their zone. 

An eye-catching pin badge commemorating the Athletes' Committee election will also be available.

(With PTI inputs)