11-February-2025-Editorial

SUPREME COURT’S DIRECTIVE ON INDIAN KABADDI TEAM PARTICIPATION IN ASIAN KABADDI CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to ensure India’s participation in the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2025. This decision follows the suspension of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) due to governance issues.

The ruling highlights concerns over political interference and the lack of transparency in sports administration.

Why was AKFI Suspended by IKF?

About AKFI

• AKFI is the main governing body for Kabaddi in India.
• It oversees various Kabaddi formats, including National, Indoor, Beach, and Circle Style.
• It plays a crucial role in organizing tournaments and team selection.
• Headquarters: Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• Affiliations: Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF), and International Kabaddi Federation (IKF).
• Government Recognition: Recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

Reasons for Suspension

• Lack of Transparency: Allegations of irregular elections and administrative mismanagement.
• Political Interference: Accusations of politicians dominating the organization, leading to nepotism.
• Court-Appointed Administrator: Due to governance concerns, the Delhi High Court appointed Justice (Retd.) S.P. Garg to oversee AKFI’s affairs.
• IKF’s Suspension Decision: The IKF suspended AKFI due to the absence of a democratically elected governing body.
• Condition for Reinstatement: IKF stated that if AKFI formed a properly elected body, India’s participation in the upcoming Iran championship would be reconsidered.

Supreme Court’s Orders

• Justice (Retd.) S.P. Garg must transfer control of AKFI to the newly elected body from the December 2023 elections.
• The governing body must promptly select teams, organize training camps, and facilitate India’s participation in the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2025.
• The Court clarified that handing over control does not validate the legitimacy of the AKFI elections, which remain subject to legal scrutiny.

Concerns of the Supreme Court on Sports Administration

Politicization of Sports Bodies

• Sports organizations are often dominated by politicians and bureaucrats instead of former athletes.
• The Court emphasized that sportspersons should play a greater role in managing federations for better governance.

Administrative Mismanagement

• Several sports bodies face allegations of non-transparent elections, financial irregularities, and power concentration within a few individuals.
• Many federations, including AKFI, do not comply with the National Sports Code of India 2011, which mandates fair governance.

Lack of Oversight and Accountability

• With no stringent regulatory checks, sports organizations operate without transparency.
• Past instances, such as the 2010 Commonwealth Games scandal, revealed financial mismanagement in multiple projects.

Impact on Athletes

• Administrative delays in team selection and training camps hinder athletes’ performance and participation in major tournaments.
• Issues like inadequate grievance redressal mechanisms leave athletes vulnerable to exploitation, including cases of harassment.

Uneven Sports Infrastructure

• Since sports fall under the State List, infrastructure development varies across states, leading to disparities in training facilities and athlete support.

About the National Sports Code of India 2011

Objective: Ensures transparency, democratic governance, and accountability in sports federations.

Key Provisions:

• Limits tenure of office-bearers to prevent monopolization.
• Mandates financial disclosures and compliance with government guidelines.
• Encourages athlete representation in governing bodies.

Way Forward

Strengthening Oversight and Accountability

• Regular Audits: Conduct independent financial and governance audits for sports federations.
• Anti-Corruption Measures: Engage agencies like the CBI and INTERPOL to investigate corruption in sports administration.
• Independent Sports Regulator: Establish a central regulatory authority to enforce governance norms.

Increasing Athlete Involvement in Decision-Making

• Encourage athletes to hold key positions in sports federations.
• Follow the Olympic Charter, which mandates athlete representation in National Olympic Committees.

Ensuring Gender Parity in Sports Administration

• Introduce reservation for women in sports management positions.
• Implement strict policies to prevent discrimination and harassment.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s intervention in AKFI’s governance issues highlights the broader challenges in Indian sports administration. Addressing corruption, ensuring transparency, and empowering athletes in decision-making are crucial steps toward improving sports governance in India. These reforms will help create a more robust and athlete-centric sports ecosystem, ensuring that India continues to shine on the international stage.