Delhi High Court directs Central government to stop funding to National Sports Federations till they comply with Sports Code

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Central government to stop funding and patronage to the National Sports Federations (NSFs) that are in non-compliance with the Sports Code and judicial orders governing their functioning..Funding will resume only after these federations comply with the laws and in the interim, the assistance provided to the sportsperson through Sports Authority of India (SAI) should be ensured and augmented, the Court ordered.The non-compliant NSFs will also be put to notice regarding the suspension of their recognition. .The order was passed by a division bench of Justices Najmi Waziri and Vikas Mahajan after it noted that there was no clarity as to which NSF was complying with the Sports Code.Therefore, it would be only logical, prudent, legal and just that the government money is not expended on entities whose law is yet to be determined, the Court said.“Accordingly, no more monies will be expended nor any assistance be extended to any NSFs, till the next date. The respondent shall ensure that monies, patronage and other facilities to NSFs will be resumed, in particular, only when the NSFs comply with Annexure 2 of the Sports Code, as well as in terms of the orders passed by the Supreme Court and by this court,” the Court ordered.The bench added that it hopes that the entire exercise of ensuring compliance will be completed by the end of the month..The High Court was dealing with a petition filed by Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra arguing that despite more than a decade having gone since the Sports Code was introduced, many NSFs are yet to comply with the rules and yet they continue to get funds from the government.Mehra therefore sought action against the bodies which have not complied with the rules introduced by the Centre or the judicial orders passed by the High Court and the Supreme Court..On Friday, the Joint Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs appeared personally in the Court and handed over a status report of 5 groups of National Sports Federations (NSFs) which have been granted extension of time by the ministry for complying with the Sports Code.According to the compilation, 15 NSFs have complied with the Sports Code, 6 NSFs have been granted exemption from certain provisions of Sports Code, 3 NSFs Administrators have been appointed through judicial orders, 5 NSFs need to carry on minor amendments in their respective constitutions and lastly 17 NSFs require extensive amendments.Mehra disputed the report’s veracity and handed over a tabular compilation showing that at least 24 NSFs have supernumerary posts/persons in the management which are not contemplated in the Sports Code..The Court also noted that none of the NSFs have ensured compliance with the condition in the Sports Code that 25 percent of the management shall comprise prominent sports persons of outstanding merit with voting rights.“The non-representation of sports persons violates the essential element and spirit of the regime of sports administration,” the Court said. The matter will now be considered on July 20..Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra appeared in person and was assisted by advocates Chaitanya Gosain and Amanpreet Singh.The Central government was represented by standing counsel Anil Soni. Advocate Aditya Vikram Singh appeared for NRAI..[Read Order]