Malhotra steps in for NSF’s cause

New Delhi, June 27: Worried about the derecognition of 54 National Sports Federations a year before the Olympics, All India Council of Sports president V. K. Malhotra has requested the Sports Ministry to appoint the Attorney General and immediately appeal in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court.

The Sports Ministry on Thursday withdrew provisional annual recognition granted to 54 NSFs on the directive of the Delhi High Court, which asked it to maintain status quo till further orders.

In a letter to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Malhotra on Friday said, such a move, coming at a time when the sporting world is battling the Covid19 pandemic, can have an adverse effect on Indian athletes’ preparation for next year’s Olympics Games.

The veteran sports administrator pointed out that the Indian Olympic Association and the international federations have not withdrawn their recognition.

“In view of this, I request you to appoint the Attorney General/Solicitor General to represent the case and immediately appeal in the High Court and Supreme Court to annul the High Court directive to withdraw the recognition to practically all sports federations in the country,” Malhotra wrote in the letter.

The annual recognition makes NSFs eligible for government grants and assistance for training and competition.

I request you to appoint the Attorney General/Solicitor General to represent the case and immediately appeal in the High Court and Supreme Court to annul the High Court directive to withdraw the recognition to practically all sports federations in the country.

— V. K. MALHOTRA

All-India Council of Sports president