Hand over Kabaddi federation charge to elected body, rules Supreme Court

The apex court asked Centre to take adequate steps to ensure that Kabbadi players are allowed to compete in Asian Championship to be held in Iran from Feb 20 to 25.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed an elected governing body to take over Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India (AKFI) while clarifying that its decision was an ad hoc arrangment to ensure participation of women to an international event.

The court asked the Centre to take adequate steps to ensure that Indian Kabbadi players are allowed to participate in the Asian Kabbadi Championship to be held in Iran from February 20 to 25.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh also asked former judge, Justice S P Garg, appointed by the Delhi High Court as the administrator of the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India (AKFI), to hand over the charge of the federation to the governing body, elected in the polls held on December 24, 2023. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Centre informed the bench about a letter received from the International Kabaddi Federation that assured to restore the affiliation of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India and allow participation of Indian players at the Iran championship if an elected body takes over the federation from the administrator.

The court said after handing over the charge of the AKFI to the elected body, the International Kabbadi Federation should abide by its assurances given in its letter on February 6.

"Owing to the urgency regarding participation of women players in the kabaddi championship scheduled from February 20-25 in Iran, we request justice Garg, appointed administrator of AKFI, to hand over the charge of the federation to the governing body, said to have been elected on December 24, 2023. Let the needful be done before February 11,” the bench said.

It also directed the governing body of the AKFI to take immediate steps for selecting the teams. AKFI has got unaffiliated by the International Kabaddi Federation, resulting into suspense over participation of the players in championship scheduled to be held in Iran from February 20 to 25.

Acting on a writ petition filed by Kabaddi players Priyanka and Pooja, the bench acknowledged urgency in the matter in view of championship to be held in Iran from February 20 to February 25. Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, appearing for the petitioners, sought direction to the AKFI to make arrangements for the training of the Indian players. 

The bench clarified that its order to entrust the charge of the federation to the elected body cannot be seen not an endorsement of the election of the AKFI body.

The court fixed the matter for consideration on March 3.On February 4, the apex court had said strong measures are required to infuse purity, fairness and autonomy in the sports bodies as it directed the Union government to explore the diplomatic channels for resolution of the conflict with regard to recognition of Sports Associations, most urgently the Kabaddi Federation of India.

The court had then asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, to ensure that the Kabaddi players and other sports persons are allowed to participate in international competitions, including the ensuing Asian Kabaddi Championship at Iran.

The bench had earlier asked the Centre to seek assistance of the CBI to enquire into allegations of misappropriation and nepotism into AKFI.