Ensure Indian team's participation in Asian Men's Handball Championship: Allahabad High Court to Sports Authority of India

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to ensure participation of the Indian National Team in the 20th Asian Men's Handball Championship scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 18, 2022 to January 31, 2022 [Mohit Yadav v. Union of India and Others].."We hereby direct the Sport Authority of India to ensure participation of the Indian Handball team as has been finalized for which a sanction of budget has also been earmarked," a Division Bench of Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Narendra Kumar Johari ordered.The Court was hearing a writ petition moved by one Mohit Yadav, member of the Indian Handball National Team seeking intervention of the Court in the cause of the Indian Team.It was the case of the petitioner that the budget for sponsoring the Indian team to participate in the 20th Asian Men's Handball Championship tournament had already been allocated by the SAI way back in March 2021. However, it was pointed out that the funds have not been released yet due to some election proceedings taking place to constitute the management body of Handball Federation of India, it was pointed out. The petitioner argued that the SAI is bound to release the funds since delay in election proceedings cannot be allowed to come in the way of participation of the Indian handball team in the tournament.When the matter was heard on January 11, the Court had directed the release of funds to the tune of ₹29.60 lakh.However, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Surya Bhan Pandey had sought a day's time to obtain instructions on reasons for delay in release of funds. On January 12, the ASG informed the Court that the copy of the order passed by the High Court on January 11 was brought to the notice of concerned authorities. However, he sought a day more to apprise the Court about the outcome of action taken pursuant to the Court order.When the matter was taken up on January 13, the ASG told the Court that necessary measures, as regards the disbursement of funds could not be taken due to an internal election dispute, as regards the constitution of management of the Handball Federation of India. He also submitted that the said dispute is sub-judice before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Allahabad High Court the directed the SAI to ensure participation of the Indian Handball team as had been finalised, for which a sanction of budget had also been earmarked."We make it clear that the Sports Authority of India may take a decision to do the needful notwithstanding the fact that some dispute with respect to the constitution of management body in Handball Federation of India is sub-judice before the Punjab and Haryana High Court," the Court observed.The Court directed the authority to ensure that the country does not remain unrepresented at the event.The matter will be heard again on January 24, 2022. Advocates Avinash Chandra and Narendra Shanker Shukla appeared for the petitioner.Advocate Alok Saran also appeared for the respondents..[Read Order]