Undertaken Systemic Exercise To Align Recognised Sports Associations With National Sports Code: J&K Sports Council To High Court
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has recorded that the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has undertaken a systemic exercise to bring recognised sports associations in line with the governing norms relating to constitution, democratic elections, eligibility of office bearers, representation of sportspersons, district units and financial discipline under the National...
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has recorded that the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has undertaken a systemic exercise to bring recognised sports associations in line with the governing norms relating to constitution, democratic elections, eligibility of office bearers, representation of sportspersons, district units and financial discipline under the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.
The Court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Bakhtawar Singh and others seeking implementation of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, as well as the guidelines of the J&K Sports Council in various sports associations across the Union Territory.
A Bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Rajnesh Oswal recorded that the Sports Council, in its affidavit filed through its Secretary, stated that “the Council is committed to uphold the fairness, democratic functioning and compliance with the applicable Sports Code.”
The Court further noted that “every possible effort is being made for implementation of the National Sports Development Code 2011, framed by the Government of India, as also the guidelines of the Sports Council, including enforcement of the Sports Code 2013.”
The public interest litigation was filed by former state badminton players seeking implementation of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, and the guidelines of the J&K Sports Council across various sports associations in the Union Territory. The petitioners alleged that several office bearers were running associations for years despite their ineligibilities, having crossed the age of 70 years as stipulated in the Sports Code, 2011.
The Court had previously issued notices and directed the Sports Council to file a comprehensive affidavit. In response to the order dated April 7, 2026, the J&K Sports Council filed the necessary affidavit through its Secretary.
The Court recorded the submission of the Sports Council that the Council has undertaken a systemic exercise to bring recognised sports associations in line with the governing norms relating to constitution, democratic elections, eligibility of office bearers, representation of sportspersons, district units and financial discipline.
The Court further noted that upon issues of office bearers owing to age, tenure or political or government status being brought to the notice of the Council, the concerned associations were required to take corrective measures in conformity with the Sports Code.
The Court recorded that associations were also cautioned that continued non-compliance would entail financial and regulatory consequences. However, as an immediate corrective measure and to ensure compliance, but without prejudice to the interests of sportspersons by abrupt de-recognition, the Sports Council has withheld the grant of the concerned association.
Upon being pointedly asked, counsel for the Sports Council submitted that per the governing norms of the Council, associations seeking recognition are required to ensure that at least 25% of its members are outstanding sportspersons and 10% are women players with equal voting rights to district units or associations in the elections of the Executive Body.
The Bench noted that “in all the elections that have been conducted in the recent past by respondent no.3, the Council has assured that there was no violation to the conditions indicated above.”
In reference to the averments set out in Paragraph no.7 of the affidavit, the Court recorded that the J&K Badminton Association had conveyed to the Council that its President, Chander Parkash Sharma, had resigned in September 2025. Similarly, the General Secretary, Balbir Singh Jamwal, had also submitted his resignation. Dr. O D Sharma, Chairman of the Badminton Association, had also submitted his resignation on April 21, 2026.
However, counsel for the petitioners disputed whether the communications regarding resignations had been forwarded by the Association to the Council.
Taking note of the submissions and the affidavit filed by the Sports Council, the Court recorded the same. The matter was adjourned to May 21, 2026 for further proceedings.
Case Title: Bakhtawar Singh & Ors. Vs UT of J&K & Ors.
Appearances
Petitioners: M/s S S Ahmed, Supriya Chouhan & M Zulkernain Chowdhary, Advocates
Respondents: Ms. Monika Kohli, Sr. AAG for respondent nos. 1 and 2; Ms. Anshuja Tak, Advocate for respondent no. 3; M/s Azim H. Laskar & Bikas K. Gupta, Advocates; Mr. Amjid Maqbool, Advocate (through virtual mode) for respondent no. 4