Delhi High Court Appoints Abhinav Bindra, MM Somaya On Committee For Overseeing Disbursement Of Funds To Sports Federations

The Delhi High Court has included two sportspersons in the Committee constituted for overseeing the disbursement of funds released by Union Government to various Sports Federations, to ensure that the funds go only for betterment and training of sportsmen in the upcoming Asian Games to be held in China from September 23 to October 08.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad appointed shooter Abhinav Bindra and field hockey player MM Somaya as members of the Committee which earlier consisted of Secretary of Department of Sports; Director General of Sports Authority of India and the Joint Secretary of Department of Sports.

The bench clarified that the funds will not be spent on the office bearers of the National Sports Federations who are not concerned with the sports persons.

“The Committee shall ensure that the money is spent only on the sportsmen, their training, etc. It is made clear that the Government money should be spent only on training and travel of sportsmen for their selection in Indian team, on arranging coaches for them and on other necessary equipments and services like on physiotherapists, trainers, etc,” the court added.

The court was hearing a plea moved by Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, against decisions taken by the Centre giving recognition to various National Sports Federations.

The plea sought direction on the Union Government to grant recognition to National Sports Federations only after they comply with National Sports Code, 2011.

On June 3 last year, a coordinate bench had directed the Union government to ensure that monies, patronage and other facilities to National Sports Federations be resumed only when they comply with National Sports Code and various judicial orders.

Modifying the said order, the court in an order passed on April 25 ordered:

“This Court also appoints Mr. Abhinav Bindra and Mr. M. M. Somaya as members of the Committee which is overseeing the disbursement of amounts, which, at present is being administered by Secretary, Department of Sports; Director General of Sports Authority of India and the Joint Secretary, Department of Sports. The Committee will, therefore, have five members and shall oversee the disbursement of funds to the various Sports Federations for the purpose of selecting Indian Teams for various disciplines to represent the country in Asian Games which are to be held in Hangzhou, China from 23.09.2023 to 08.10.2023.”

The matter will now be heard on May 30.

Case Title: RAHUL MEHRA v. UNION OF INDIA

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 355

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