Indian boxing legend and six-time world champion MC Mary Kom has resigned as the Chairperson of Indian Olympic Association’s Athlete commission (AC) and also as the member of the apex sports body’s executive council.

Mary Kom shared a message in the Athletes Commission Whatsapp Group on Sunday saying that she wants to end her responsibilities with the IOA. The message read, “I had a good time with IOA. IOA was a good experience of my life. I am sorry to share that I have decided to over (end) my responsibilities with IOA and I am resigning. My good wishes with IOA.”

Mary Kom has not provided a reason for her resignation and the IOA athletes’ body will wait for an official letter before deciding on a future course of action. Addressing to the Tribune, Mary Kom had said, “I have offered to resign from the athletes’ commission. I have not yet sent an official letter.” The reason again was said to be personal.

Within a span of six months, Mary Kom has resigned for the second time, cutting ties with IOA. Earlier she resigned as the chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the Paris Olympics.

The 10 member Athletes Commission was formed in November 2022 when PT Usha took over as the new President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The athletes’ body was established as per the guidelines of IOA. It was formed to represent athletes of the country, being their voice, keeping them at the centre of decision-making.

Two members of Athletes commission, which includes the chairperson too, are a part of the IOA’s executive committee. It is also entrusted with the responsibility to create a pathway for the National Sports federation (NSFs) to set up their own independent athletes’ commission that would elect IOC AC members.

Currently, Table tennis star Sharath Kamal is the vice-chairperson of Athletes Commission with Om Prakash Karhana, Shiva Keshavan, Gagan Narang, Bajrang Lal, Bhavani Devi, PV Sindhu, and Rani Rampal as members. Olympic Shooting legend Abhinav Bindra is the ex-officio member, being a member of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes Commission.

But, the IOA athletes body did not start over and remained non-functional for a long period with only a few initial meetings that never convened again. Abhinav Bindra has often addressed about the athletes’ body becoming functional, yet it never could due to a feud between IOA President PT Usha and other EC members.