Sports Ministry Can't Act As 'Rubber Stamp' To Grant NSF Recognition To Any Entity Handpicked By International Federation: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has observed that the Union Sports Ministry cannot act as a mere “rubber stamp” to grant recognition of National Sports Federation (NSF) to any entity or body “handpicked” by an International Federation. “Clearly, recognition of an NSF cannot be at the dictates/whims/directives of any International Federation. The MYAS is not expected to act as a mere 'rubber stamp' and grant recognition to whichever body / entity is handpicked by the International Federation (irrespective of antecedents/track record/conflict of interest issues afflicting such body),” Justice Sachin Datta said.The Court was dealing with a plea filed by the Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI) challenging an order issued by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) granting NSF recognition to India Taekwondo for the sport of Taekwondo in India. It was TFI's case that such a status could not have been conferred India Taekwondo, despite it already being a recognized NSF for the concerned sport. It was further contended that the impugned communication came to be issued by the Union Government without being preceded by either an order of suspension or withdrawal of recognition of TFI as an NSF.It was submitted that no show cause notice was issued seeking to put the federation to notice as to any circumstance which may warrant suspension or withdrawal of recognition.At the outset, the Court expressed its anguish at the fact that for an inordinately long period, the sport of Taekwondo has remained in a state of turmoil in India.The Court noted that no specific notice was given to TFI regarding suspension pr withdrawal of its recognition nor any order was issued purporting to suspend or withdraw the recognition. “Instead, the Union of India/MYAS, went ahead and issued the impugned communication letter dated 08.05.2025 seeking to recognize the respondent no.3 (India Taekwondo) as the NSF for the sport of Taekwondo in India. The same is clearly incongruous inasmuch as Clause 3.10 of the Sports Code clearly contemplates that there will be only one recognized federation for each discipline of sport,” the Court said. It added that the impugned communication was in the teeth of the position recorded in the judicial orders which expressly recorded the stand of the Union of India that TFI is the recognized NSF for the sport of Taekwondo in the country. The Court observed that there was a “serious controversy” surrounding the manner in India Taekwondo was incorporated or came to be accorded recognition by the International Body. It said that the impugned order was merely predicated on the fact that India Taekwondo enjoyed the recognition of the International Federation and Asian Body.Setting aside the impugned order, the Court directed the Union of India to reconsider the matter as regards recognition of a suitable body to act as the NSF for the sport of Taekwondo in the country, after affording an opportunity of hearing all the stakeholders, including TFI and India Taekwondo. It further directed the Ministry to take an appropriate decision by issuing a reasoned order, in consonance with the Sports Code and good governance practices. “Till the aforesaid exercise is completed, for all the above reasons, and in line with the orders dated 24.12.2024 and 13.01.2025 passed in W.P.(C) 17973/2024, the petitioner shall continue to act as the NSF in respect of the sport of Taekwondo in India,” the Court said. Title: TAEKWONDO FEDERATION OF INDIA v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORSCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 1538Click here to read order

Sports Ministry Can't Act As 'Rubber Stamp' To Grant NSF Recognition To Any Entity Handpicked By International Federation: Delhi High Court

Nupur Thapliyal

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Sports Ministry Can't Act As 'Rubber Stamp' To Grant NSF Recognition To Any Entity Handpicked By International Federation: Delhi High Court

Nupur Thapliyal

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