Call it a tug of war or the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports flexing its muscles, most National Sports Federation in India are in for fresh trouble and possible de-recognition, once again.
If you thought in 2020 the Sports Ministry had messed up big time over the annual recognition matter with the NSFs, this time, as well, the Delhi High Court has stepped in. To say the NSFs are now gasping for breath would be like detailing a Covid-19 patient on a ventilator in an ICU. The only difference is in the case of NSFs, they are responsible for the mess and not any virus.
And as for the Sports Ministry, headed by Kiren Rijiju and aided by IAS officers, they have not done their homework at all. When the Sports Ministry went to the Supreme Court last year in desperation, they thought they got relief which would allow them to do what they want. At least, the Sports Ministry thought it could once again given annual recognition in “lots.”
The fresh matter in the Delhi High Court impacts NSFs and the Indian Olympic Association as well. The next date for hearing in the IOA case comes up this week. Be sure, amidst all this mess, if a group of people are going to be busy and rake in the moolah, it will be the lawyers who will be representing various NSFs.
One is not sure why the Sport Ministry bent backwards in giving annual recognition to several NSFs which do not comply with the National Sports Code (NSDC 2011). Maybe, the Sports Ministry thought by filing fresh affidavits in the Delhi High Court and informing them recognition was being given in batches, they would escape.
The fresh crisis which has been precipitated entirely because of the cavalier manner in which the Sports Ministry has handled the issue is deplorable. If a Sports Code exits, why is it not being followed? If a Sports Code exists, why does the Sports Ministry want to ignore it and act goody-goody with the NSFs. Perhaps, no other ministry in the NDA government works in such a flippant manner.
It was interesting to read a letter dated January 5, 2021, where the Sports Ministry has said Anandeswhar Pandey is ineligible to be an office bearer in the Handball Federation of India. Pandey, who is also the treasurer of the IOA has to step down as Sr Vice President of the Handball Federation of India. In the first place, the Sports Code does not have any provision for Senior Vice Presidents.
Pandey got himself appointed as Sr VP and apparently enjoys more power than the president and secretary in the Handball Federation of India.
There are several NSFs in India which violate the Sports Code and got recognition. Handball, Equestrian Federation of India and a few more top the list. EFI has been the biggest offender, which is anti-riders and has been recognised by the Sports Ministry. They have got, time and again, ample chances from the Sports Ministry to set their house in order.
Instead, the EFI office bearers laugh at suggestions of following the Sports Code. As serving officers in the Armed Forces means they should have been more careful. No, they care for none and not even rider Fouaad Mirza who has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
Forget the NSFs which are part of the Olympics programme. There are many other NSFs which exist only on paper and do nothing for the promotion of sport. Barring Hockey India, most NSFs have Sr VP. So, each NSF which has Sr VP has to be de-recognised. There are many more rules being flouted which the Delhi High Court is well aware of.
As regards the IOA, it is also in for trouble. They have two senior VPs, Anil Khanna and RK Anand. Will they be asked to step down? The IOA also has two life presidents, Randhir Singh and VK Malhotra. Perhaps, the time has come for the IOA to also set its house in order. Their elections are due in December this year.
One also cannot forget how the All India Football Federation has been delaying elections. Their love for Praful Patel is huge but this time the highest court of the land may ensure he cannot become president.
The Boxing Federation of India elections are set to take place in February. If NSFs think they are above law, no, they are wrong. Kiren Rijiju may back them but certainly not courts of the land!
