Sports governance is sickening

Call it a cat and mouse game or “working together,” the way drama has been played out by the Sports Ministry and National Sports Federations over annual recognition is indeed laughable.

For those not initiated into sports politics, or more specifically sports governance politics in India, it is well known the NSFS, as national federations are known, are fully reliant on the government for financial support. The lone exception is cricket.

For all their bravado, bank balances and some even having their own buildings as offices (real estate), when it comes to asking for funds from the government, they never shy away. It is well known the NSFs run national camps, courtesy the Sports Authority of India. At best, the NSF works like a forwarding agent and claim to be developing the sport.

However, right or wrong, these days, it is the SAI which has taken up the lead role, at least for the elite athletes preparing for the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Game. The NSFs seem quite happy to be playing a muted role these days.

Frankly speaking, even without NSFs having recognition for a long period in 2020, elite athletes continued to be in national camps at SAI centres. Nothing was really disturbed in the true sense.

The legal battle between the Sports Ministry and an activist lawyer over the last decade has seen many twists and turns. The contention was the NSDC 2011, in short sports code, was not being followed by many NSFs. So, in summer, the NSFs, around 72, were derecognised. It was after much thought the Sports Ministry then moved the Supreme Court for relief.

 Today, the Sports Ministry still has to inform the Delhi High Court it is recognising NSFs, the difference being this time the recognition is for a period of one year and not till December 31, as was the case earlier. The Sports Ministry has also made it clear where NSFs have not followed the NSDC properly, then elections be held “properly.”

In the last few weeks, many NSFs have held elections, including the Athletics Federation of India, Handball Federation of India, Hockey India and before that the All India Tennis Association. These federations (NSFs) can breathe freely, as they may think they have complied with the sports code. However, the story does not end there.

Matters have once again reached the Delhi High Court with a fresh PIL (public interest litigation) being filed. One could well imagine more hearings in court, more drama and more affidavits and replies being filed. For its part, the Sports Ministry, which seemed defensive in summer, is now batting on the front foot, if one is to borrow a cricket term.

Not all NSFs have been given recognition, which is why the number of recognised federations is around 42 and not 72, as per affidavits filed in the Delhi High Court. In coming weeks, there could be more recognition given, though certain NSFs like the Equestrian Federation of India will hopefully be denied recognition for flouting all rules of the NSDC 2011.

It will be also interesting to see when the high profile AIFF (All India Football Federation) elections are held. They are  long overdue, though the rumour mill says Praful Patel may still want to head it, despite having completed three terms. However, if the Sports Ministry wants to oblige, none can stop it. They have shown when they want to bend rules or accommodate a few NSFs, it is not difficult.

So, where does this leave the average athlete who in India at the national level is still struggling to resume sport after the Covid-19 pandemic? Well, the NSFs do not care, nor do activists of this land!