Factional fights, aggrieved athletes: In 10 years, about 770 sports cases in court; 200-plus governance related

By | March 17, 2025
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Courts Step In to Resolve Indian Sports Disputes

Delhi High Court Halts Boxing Federation Suspension

The Indian sports sector is once again entangled in legal battles. Courts are stepping in to resolve governance disputes. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court temporarily halted the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to suspend the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) over election delays. The legal battle escalated last Friday when the Himachal Pradesh unit of BFI threatened legal action. This came after the federation rejected former Union Minister Anurag Thakur’s presidential nomination for the March 28 elections.

Ongoing Legal Battles in Indian Sports

Boxing is just one of many sports in India facing judicial scrutiny. Governance and administration issues continue to plague sports bodies. Currently, at least 49 national sports federations (NSFs) are involved in legal disputes. These range from election-related issues to athlete selection controversies. Court cases in Indian sports highlight deep-rooted administrative challenges.

Since 2015, an estimated 770 sports-related lawsuits have been filed across Indian courts and tribunals, including:

  • 462 cases in various High Courts.
  • 22 cases in the Supreme Court.
  • 200 cases involving national sports federations.
  • 150 cases related to governance disputes.
  • 64 cases where athletes contested their exclusion from teams.

These numbers show a pattern of governance failures. Prolonged legal conflicts affect both administrators and athletes.

Proposed Reforms to Reduce Court Cases

Recognizing the increasing litigation burden, the Sports Ministry has proposed reforms. A major step is the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2024, aimed at streamlining dispute resolution. A key provision is the establishment of an Appellate Sports Tribunal, modeled on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This tribunal would handle disputes before they reach the Supreme Court.

The draft bill was published in October 2023. The Ministry hopes to present it during the ongoing Budget Session. If passed, it could significantly lower the number of cases reaching the judiciary.

Lack of Transparency in Sports Administration

Experts believe many legal battles in Indian sports stem from unclear regulations. Opaque governance practices also contribute to disputes. Sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, who has worked on numerous cases, explains:

“Athletes challenge team selections due to vague criteria. Governance disputes arise from non-transparent election processes. If clear policies and transparency existed, court cases would be far fewer.”

Due to poor governance, federations allocate large portions of their budgets to legal battles. These funds could instead support athlete development. This problem extends beyond mainstream sports like cricket, football, and hockey. Lesser-known disciplines such as dragon boat racing, ball badminton, and silambam also face similar issues.

How Legal Disputes Affect Athletes and Federations

Several high-profile cases illustrate the impact of legal battles on Indian sports:

  • 2017: Indian middle-distance runner P U Chitra took the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to court. She was excluded from India’s squad for the World Athletics Championships despite meeting qualification criteria. The case remains unresolved.
  • 2019-2022: Multiple state baseball federations filed 11 lawsuits against the Amateur Baseball Federation of India. They alleged unfair selection processes and financial irregularities.
  • 2021: The Yoga Federation of India challenged the government’s recognition of the National Yogasana Sport Federation. The Delhi High Court is set to hear arguments on May 21, 2025.

Financial Impact of Legal Cases

Sports federations in India are also struggling with the financial burden of legal battles. A sports law expert highlighted that millions of rupees are spent on prolonged court proceedings each year.

“Federations are spending crores on legal fights that drag on for years. These funds could be used to train young athletes and improve sports infrastructure.”

For example, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) reportedly spent ₹3 crore on legal battles in 2022 alone. This financial strain prevents sports bodies from focusing on athlete development.

Beyond Governance: Other Sports-Related Court Cases

Legal disputes in sports go beyond governance and administration. Some common issues include:

  • Athletes challenging National Sports Awards decisions – Many take their grievances to court. They feel unfairly overlooked for awards like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award or the Arjuna Award.
  • Sports quota admissions in colleges and universities – Several students and athletes have filed cases. They argue merit-based selections were ignored.
  • Employment disputes within sports organizations – Employees of government-run sports bodies, such as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), have initiated legal battles. These cases involve salary hikes, promotions, and job security.

The Way Forward: How to Reduce Legal Disputes in Indian Sports

With legal disputes consuming time and resources, reforms are essential. Experts suggest these measures:

  1. Clearer Selection Policies: National sports federations should implement transparent and standardized selection criteria. This would prevent athletes from challenging decisions in court.
  2. Independent Arbitration Panels: Establishing an independent arbitration mechanism, like the Appellate Sports Tribunal, would help resolve disputes efficiently.
  3. Improved Governance Standards: Federations must follow governance guidelines set by the Sports Ministry and International Olympic Committee (IOC). This can reduce litigation risks.
  4. Regular Audits and Accountability Measures: Financial and administrative audits should be introduced. This can help prevent corruption and mismanagement, lowering governance disputes.

Conclusion

The increasing involvement of courts in Indian sports governance reveals deep-rooted issues. With over 770 sports-related cases pending, legal disputes are draining both finances and sports development. The Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2024 and the proposed Appellate Sports Tribunal offer possible solutions. However, real change requires transparent policies, fair selection processes, and improved governance standards. Until then, Indian sports federations will continue to spend more time in court than on the field, impacting athletes and the nation’s sporting future.