Constitute Selection Committee For Choosing Karate Players To Represent India In Upcoming Asian Games: Delhi High Court To Sports Authority Of India

Considering the absence of a recognized National Federation in the field of Karate, the Delhi High Court has directed the Director General of Sports Authority Of India (SAI) to constitute a Selection Committee consisting of players and a senior SAI coach to select a competent team to represent India in the sport of Karate in the upcoming Asian Games.

In the order dated May 18, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that the Director General, SAI will constitute a Selection Committee as as stipulated in the letter dated May 15 of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Sports, Government of India “within one week from today”, “which shall, after such constitution proceed with the process of selecting the team as per Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Rules with all earnest”.

The court was hearing the petition filed by Shruti Sharma who is stated to have won medals and commendations in Karate and is interested in the upcoming 19th Asian Games, to be held in Hangzhou, China in September-October, 2023. The plea sought direction for the constitution of a Selection Committee for karate for participation in the Asian Games.

The petitioner highlighted to the court that there is no National Federation recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and as such no association is controlled by the Ministry nor are they bound by the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. It was also submitted that due to such lacuna, the sport by itself, as also the sports persons in Karate, are immensely suffering.

The counsel representing the Union agreed that in the absence of recognized national federation as contemplated under the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, no association stating to be representing the interest of sport of Karate has been recognized in India.

Considering the submissions of the petitioner and also the letter sent by the union government to Director General, SAI, the court further directed that, “an authorized and competent officer from the respondent No.2 to assist the Sports Authority of India in such constitution of Selection Committee and also to ensure that the team is selected in accordance with the rules of IOA”.

The role of the such officer will be limited only to oversee the said process and not to interfere with it, it added.

"The Sports Authority of India is directed to intimate the petitioner as soon as such Selection Committee is constituted. Petitioner is at liberty to submit her application along with all the credentials for her consideration in the selections," the court said.

Noting that July 15 is the last date for sending the list of selected sports persons to the Organizing Committee of the 19th Asian Games, the court requested the Selection Committee to keep the timeline in consideration while conducting selections.

While disposing of the plea, the Court noted that the counsel for the union government has undertaken that the Government of India shall “widely publish the selections conducted” for the sport on its website. Additionally, the union government said it will “advertise the selection process to be initiated for the sport of Karate” for the upcoming 19th Asian Games widely through a leading national daily in the country.

Case Title: Shruti Sharma v. UOI & Ors.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 439

Advocates Sanjay Kumjar and Shailednra Singh appeared for petitioner.

Advocates Dr. Amaresh Kumar and Kunal Yadav Anil Soni, CGSC for R-1

Advocates Swastik Singh, C. M. Maini, Mr. Mayank Maini and Mr. B. K. Wadhwa for R-4

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