The Delhi High Court has voiced concerns about the internal conflicts and disputes plaguing sports federations in India, stating that such an environment is detrimental to the growth and functioning of sports.
This remark came during the hearing of an appeal filed by the Indian Boxing Federation (BFI) regarding its election process.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed their dismay over the frequent litigation and infighting within sports bodies.
The court pointed out that mutual disputes hinder the progress of sports and warned that such behavior could lead to the disqualification of national bodies by international organizations.
The court noted that internal conflicts in every sports federation in India currently embroil them in litigation, threatening to overshadow the true purpose of sports governance.
The bench emphasized that these ongoing disputes are not only damaging to the respective federations but also affect the interests of sports in the country.
The BFI had filed an appeal challenging the order of a single bench dated March 19, which had stayed the federation’s decision made on March 7 regarding its upcoming elections.
The single bench’s order allowed only the elected members of the state units affiliated with the federation to represent their respective states during the elections.
During the hearing, the lawyer representing the secretary and treasurer of the federation argued that the appeal filed by the BFI president lacked proper authority, as it was filed without the necessary consent.
However, the lawyer for the petitioner countered that the secretary and treasurer had been suspended, thus questioning their role in the appeal process.
The Delhi High Court also emphasized the importance of maintaining autonomy within sports federations.
The bench referred to the International Olympic Charter, which mandates that national bodies should operate autonomously to ensure fair governance.
The court warned that the ongoing internal conflicts in the BFI and other federations could compromise their autonomy, risking international sanctions.
The judges expressed bewilderment over the persistent internal battles within the federations, stressing that such disputes would not only affect the sport but also the image of the country on the global stage.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 7 and made it clear that if the internal strife continues, they will take necessary actions to safeguard the interests of sports in the country.
The bench suggested that if the issue persists, the court would intervene more decisively in the future.
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