This is now an ongoing issue in Delhi High Court: IOA on NSFs recognition matter

This is now an ongoing issue in Delhi High Court: IOA on NSFs recognition matter

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IOA President Narinder Batra (Pic Credits: Getty images)

In a response to a questionnaire seeking ‘age’ and ‘tenure’ details of National Sports Federations’ (NSF) office-bearers, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) wants the Sports Ministry to extend deadlines, which is crucial to a case pending on the NSFs recognition in the Delhi High Court.

On the instructions of the HC, the ministry has asked all the 57 NSFs to reply to the questionnaire by August 11. However, The next hearing fn the matter will be on August 21.

But as they are working with depleted staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IOA wants more time to be given to the NSFs. Also, The sports body wants a meeting with sports minister Kiren Rijiju to discuss the matter.

IOA urges for four weeks from NSFs

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High Court of Delhi (Pic Credits: Getty images)

”This is a sensitive issue and we all need to take a united stand as many issues raised in the questionnaire are not part of the sports code. This is now an ongoing issue in Delhi High Court and we need to be careful,” the IOA said.

“We suggest that immediately all NSFs ask for four-weeks’ time to reply since most NSFs’ office staff are not on duty due to COVID-19.” IOA president Narinder Batra and secretary general Rajeev Mehta said in a joint statement.

IOA
IOA

The petition moved by the Sports Ministry seeking modification of its February 7 order [which had barred the Centre and the IOA from taking any decision regarding the NSFs without informing it] has been turned down by the Delhi High court.

The High Court had directed the ministry to revoke the recognition, on June 2.

The board will have a meeting on Monday and seek time from Rijiju to meet him to discuss the matter. “The president and secretary-general are meeting on Monday, 10th August, to discuss this issue. They will seek time to meet with the hon’ble minister and secretary sports,” the statement added.

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