The Supreme Court, on Monday, sharply criticized the condition of sports associations across India, describing them as “ailing bodies”. This remark came during a hearing involving a plea by the Maharashtra Wrestling Association, which is contesting its de-affiliation by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, who are overseeing the case, expressed their concerns over the governance of sports bodies in the country. “All these sports associations, there is nothing like sports in them. They are all ailing bodies…,” Justice Kant remarked, highlighting a systemic issue that extends beyond the individual case at hand.
The matter in question stems from an October 8, 2024, decision by the Bombay High Court, which upheld the de-affiliation of the Maharashtra Wrestling Association by the WFI. The state association, seeking redress, escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, which issued notices to the Centre and the WFI on January 15, demanding their responses on the allegations raised.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for March 24, where it will delve deeper into the issues surrounding the governance of sports associations in India. This case not only questions the administrative actions of the Wrestling Federation of India but also casts a spotlight on the broader challenges facing sports organizations in effectively promoting and managing sports in the country.
The ongoing legal battle and the Supreme Court’s critical observations reflect growing concerns about the transparency, accountability, and overall health of sports governance in India. As the judiciary steps in to address these challenges, the outcome could set important precedents for the future of sports administration in the nation.
