Delhi HC Directs Centre to Stop Monetary Assistance to NSFs Not Complying With Sports Code

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Centre that no money or assistance shall be provided to national sports federations which are not functioning in compliance with the law concerning the administration of sports in the country. There are too many red cards coming up,” the court remarked while hearing a petition by senior advocate Rahul Mehra to ensure compliance with the Sports Code by the NSFs. The court said that compliance shall be done by the end of one month and in the meantime, assistance to sportspersons through the Sports Authority of India would be ensured and possibly augmented. The court was informed by the Joint Secretary, Sports Ministry that concerted efforts are underway to ensure that compliances are made by the end of the month and that while 15 NSFs were adhering with the Sports code, six were granted the exemption. On May 26, the court had asked the Centre to suspend NSFs that are not complying with the Sports Code, saying that it was prudent that no further exemptions be granted to or lenience be shown to such non-compliant entities.