All posts tagged: sports governance

IOA reactivates National Olympic Academy in Ahmedabad, names PT Usha as President

IOA reactivates National Olympic Academy in Ahmedabad, names PT Usha as President

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The Indian Olympic Association has announced the formal reactivation of the National Olympic Academy (NOA) in Ahmedabad, describing the move as a significant step toward strengthening the Olympic movement in the country. The decision places IOA President and former sprint icon P T Usha at the helm of the academy. The IOA also confirmed the launch of the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP), a structured national framework aimed at delivering education and development initiatives across India’s Olympic ecosystem. Olympic medallist and IOA Vice President Gagan Narang has been appointed Director of the National Olympic Academy. According to the IOA press release, the appointments and programme rollout were approved during the Executive Council meeting held on January 8 and subsequently endorsed unanimously by the IOA General House at its Annual General Meeting on January 9. Both meetings took place in Ahmedabad. Education and athlete-centric development at core The IOA said the reactivation of the NOA reflects a renewed focus on athlete-centric development, Olympic education and institutional capacity building in line with international standards. India …

Himachal Pradesh High Court clears path for Anurag Thakur’s BFI election bid

Himachal Pradesh High Court clears path for Anurag Thakur’s BFI election bid

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Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has been granted the opportunity to contest the Boxing Federation of India’s (BFI) presidential elections after the Himachal Pradesh High Court stayed his disqualification from the Electoral College. The court also directed the BFI to extend the nomination deadline, ensuring his eligibility to file his candidature. Thakur, a Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, was previously ruled ineligible in a March 7 notification issued by BFI President Ajay Singh. The reason cited was his lack of an elected position within the Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA), which he sought to represent in the electoral process. However, on Thursday, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel ruled that the March 13 Electoral College list, which excluded Thakur, was prima facie bad and not sustainable in law.” The court further stated that denying Thakur’s nomination could cause “irreparable loss” to the petitioners. As an interim measure, the court stayed the March 7 notice and ruled that Thakur, along with HPBA official Rajesh Bhandari, must be considered valid candidates for the Electoral College. It also asserted that …

Delhi HC stays IOA order on forming boxing ad-hoc panel | Sport-others News

Delhi HC stays IOA order on forming boxing ad-hoc panel | Sport-others News

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The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed an Indian Olympic Association order to set up an ad-hoc committee to manage the affairs of the Boxing Federation of India until it conducts its elections. The BFI had moved the court terming IOA’s February 24 order, signed by president PT Usha, “arbitrary and illegal”, claiming that the national sports federation (NSF) has the exclusive authority to regulate, promote and manage boxing activities in the country. The plea before Justice Sachin Datta stressed that BFI is an independent and autonomous body, governed by its own constitution, rules and regulations. The federation alleged that the IOA order was issued without any prior notice, discussion or correspondence with BFI, and was in clear violation of the principles of natural justice. BFI also claimed that the IOA constitution doesn’t confer any power on its president to constitute an ad-hoc committee. Story continues below this ad Seeking quashing of the IOA order, the BFI said that the “sudden and illegal interference” in its functioning would cause confusion and instability at a time …

Ranjit Bajaj takes AIFF to court over Secretary General’s appointment

Ranjit Bajaj takes AIFF to court over Secretary General’s appointment

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Delhi FC director Ranjit Bajaj has filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court against the All India Football Federation (AIFF), challenging the appointment of Anilkumar Prabhakaran as its Secretary General. Bajaj argues that the appointment violates the National Sports Code, 2011, and is seeking legal intervention to remove Prabhakaran from his position. The Bridge has access to the 53-page writ petition filed in the Delhi High Court, and these are the important points from the document. Allegations of rule violation The petition claims that Prabhakaran was elected as an AIFF Executive Committee member in 2022 later resigned and was appointed Secretary General in 2024. This, Bajaj contends, is in direct violation of a 2022 directive issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), which bars former executive committee members from taking up administrative roles in National Sports Federations. The rule aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fair governance in Indian sports bodies. Bajaj points out that the same directive was enforced against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) …

IOA reactivates National Olympic Academy in Ahmedabad, names PT Usha as President

IOA president PT Usha accuses sports ministry of undermining sports governance

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Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha accused the sports ministry of interfering in the affairs of national federations in a strongly worded letter. Usha said the ministry has “undermined the credibility of sports governance”. With the ministry at loggerheads with the IOA for recognising the Indian Golf Union (IGU) elections won by the Harish Kumar Shetty-led faction, Usha said sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya is not being “properly apprised” of various important issues concerning national federations, including the contentious IGU polls. In a letter dated January 2 and signed by the undersecretary, the ministry said the IOA’s act of according recognition to Shetty’s faction can “create avoidable duplication and confusion” which may not withstand legal scrutiny. In her response, Usha said, “The manner in which this letter has been issued appears procedurally incorrect and reflects a lack of verification of the facts on record and a complete non application of mind by the Under Secretary.” “Sir, since I have assumed office in the lOA, it has become more and more apparent that the staff of …

No more going to court over selection or sports administration matters, if govt bill becomes law | Sport-others News

No more going to court over selection or sports administration matters, if govt bill becomes law | Sport-others News

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If a draft sports governance bill becomes a law, India’s athletes and officials will no longer be able to take their sporting disputes to the country’s courts. Instead, they will first have to knock on the doors of a proposed Appellate Sports Tribunal, modelled on the international Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Only if they are dissatisfied with the verdict, can they approach the Supreme Court. This isn’t the only eye-catching recommendation in the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2024, which the sports ministry released on Thursday. It has been suggested that a Sports Regulatory Board of India (SRBI) be formed to primarily look into all the governance issues related to sports federations. If implemented, this would result in a separation of powers within the sports ministry, which right now is responsible for all matters concerning Indian sport — from funding to governance — and has been criticised for not enforcing the rules strictly. Additionally, the draft bill could also pave the way for any citizen of India above the age of 25 to …