After the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Hockey India is also now set to run under a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) after the Delhi High Court has found the violation of the National Sports Code by the national hockey federation.
Recently, the Supreme Court has set up a three-member committee, led by former SC Judge AR Dave, to take care of AIFF’s daily affairs. This decision came after the Indian football governing body failed to conduct elections timely as Praful Patel was found ineligible to continue as a President of the AIFF.
Meanwhile, the former Indian hockey player Aslam Sher Khan, who was an important member of India’s only Hockey World Cup-winning campaign (1975) and 1976 Summer Olympics journey, filed a petition challenging Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra’s appointment as a life member of Hockey India. The former Indian hockey player also raised the same issue on CEO Elena Norman.
Delhi High Court statement on the petition
On Wednesday (25th May), the Delhi High Court came with a statement that Hockey India’s appointment of Batra as its life member and Elena Norman as CEO were illegal. It means that Hockey India’s latest administrative set-up was illegal.
The HC stated, “The Government of India cannot grant recognition to a NSF whose constitution is not in consonance with the Sports Code. The posts of Life President, Life Member in the NSF are illegal so is the post of CEO in the Managing Committee. These posts are struck-down.”
The HC has ordered Hockey India to remove all such references in the Constitution/Memorandum of Association of the national hockey federation.
Setting up the new CoA for Hockey India and other key factors
So, the High Court has set up a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to take care of Hockey India’s daily affairs. The former SC Judge Justice Anil R Dave is leading this three-member CoA. IAS Dr S.Y Qureshi, the former Chief Election Commissioner, and Padmashri awardee Mr Zafar Iqbal, the former Olympian and captain of the Indian, are the other two members of this CoA.
On the other hand, a Hockey India source informed TOI that the sports body called an emergency meeting on 30th May.
Recently, the CBI registered a preliminary enquiry against Batra in the charge of misusing INR 35 lakh of Hockey India funds. He was alleged to use that fund for personal benefits.
The HC has given the power to the CoA to recover money from Batra, which he now owed to Hockey India.
Before the fresh elections have been organized in terms of the Sports Code conforming constitution, the CoA will take the responsibility to set up all the appropriate arrangements for the governance of the Hockey India.
