Ensure Parity In Participation Of Male, Female Athletes In Sporting Events Organized By National Sports Federations: Delhi High Court To Centre

The Delhi High Court has directed the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to make efforts to ensure that parity is maintained in the participation of male and female athletes in sporting events organized by the National Sports Federations (NSFs).Justice Sachin Datta further directed the Centre to ensure that pool of participating athletes is broad enough to include not only the athletes who have participated in international events, but also those who have participated in domestic or local or Khelo India Games events.The Court was dealing with a plea filed by one Rahul Kumar Verma challenging a notification issued by the Badminton Association of India on February 13 notifying the selection criteria for participation in the Para- Badminton events under the 2nd Khelo India Para Games, 2025, to be held in the national capital from March 20 to March 22. It was submitted that the impugned notification arbitrarily restricted the participation of female para-athletes by providing them with only 8 slots per event, whereas male para-athletes receive 16 slots per event.It was also submitted that the same tantamount to discrimination against female athletes, and was contrary to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. The Court said that the principle of gender parity in sports is mandated under constitutional provisions as also in terms of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.“It is a matter of record that the female athletes have brought significant sporting glory to the country and this Court cannot countenance a situation where equilibrium is not maintained between the male and female contingents in sporting events,” it added. The Court further said that there is no reason why the participation of female para-athletes should not be augmented by drawing from the pool of para-athletes who had participated in the National Para-badminton Championship, 2024 and the Khelo India Para Games, 2023. This will also allay the concern that disproportionate weightage has been given to participation in international events, the Court added. On this, the counsel appearing for the Association submitted that for the purpose of the upcoming 2nd Khelo India Para Games, 2025, an attempt shall be made to increase the participation of female para-athletes by providing for additional slots by drawing from the participants in the National Para-badminton Championship, 2024 and the Khelo India Para Games, 2023.“In view of the aforesaid statement and in view of the fact that the concerned 2nd Khelo India Para Games, 2025 are just round the corner, this Court is refraining from passing any peremptory / binding directions for the purpose of the said event,” the Court said. It added: “However, it is directed that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports must endeavour to ensure that parity is maintained in the participation of male and female athletes in sporting events organized by the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and also ensure that the pool of participating athletes is broad enough to include not only these athletes who have participated in international events, but the same must also adequately accommodate athletes who have participated in domestic / local / Khelo India Games events.”Title: RAHUL KUMAR VERMA v. BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF INDIA & ORS.Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 328Click here to read order

Ensure Parity In Participation Of Male, Female Athletes In Sporting Events Organized By National Sports Federations: Delhi High Court To Centre

Nupur Thapliyal

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