In a significant statement on Tuesday, the Supreme Court emphasized the need for “strong measures” to instill purity, fairness, autonomy, and independence in India’s sports federations. The apex court’s observation came amid concerns over individuals with vested interests monopolizing these bodies.
During the proceedings, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh highlighted the detrimental impact of such monopolies on the spirit of sportsmanship and governance. The justices were addressing a plea by national Kabaddi players, Priyanka and Pooja, who are advocating for fair representation and participation in the upcoming Asian Kabaddi Championship in Iran.
The court’s discussion also touched on a contentious letter from the “so-called” president of the Asian Kabaddi Federation to the administrator of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), which was criticized for its offensive tone. This letter brought to light deeper issues within the federation’s election process and operational transparency.
Justice Surya Kant explicitly criticized the practice of appointing former judges or bureaucrats as sports administrators, noting that such measures do not align with democratic values. “The democratic values have to be restored,” he remarked, advocating for greater respect and participation from individuals with a genuine sports background.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, was instructed to investigate the validity of the AKFI’s electoral roll and to ensure that domestic players have the opportunity to compete internationally. The court also urged the exploration of diplomatic avenues to resolve conflicts and recognize sports associations, including the Kabaddi federation.
Highlighting the long-term dominance of certain individuals over the AKFI, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the intervening former players, voiced a strong stance against those disrupting the federation’s governance. He called for severe actions against those responsible for AKFI’s suspension from the International Kabaddi Federation.
The hearing concluded with the Supreme Court directing the Centre to report back on these issues by February 6. The justices indicated that if the investigations reveal significant irregularities, they would not hesitate to mandate fresh elections for AKFI to restore integrity and fairness in its administration.
