The Union Government has asked all recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs) to furnish a copy of their amended constitution/by-laws immediately for continuation of their recognition by the government.
The Union Sports Ministry has written to the NSFs to state that in case their constitutions were not amended to incorporate the government guidelines including those on tenure of office-bearers, then they should expedite the process and bring the proposals for amendments at the next general body meeting.
The ministry letter pointed out that the federations had agreed to incorporate the guidelines while applying for annual recognition in 2011.
The NSFs were told that the matter may be treated as “most immediate” and a reply given to the ministry by January 31. They were also told that continuation of their recognition may be impacted if the already-agreed amendments were not carried out.
The letter assumes significance because of the ongoing controversy related to the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and subsequent developments including suspension of the boxing and taekwondo federations by the international federations concerned.
The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) had recently written to the international federation (AIBA) seeking approval for its amended constitution. It is not clear whether the amended constitution would be acceptable both to the AIBA and the ministry.
Though the ministry had suspended recognition of the IABF for violation of procedures laid down in the National Sports Code while conducting its elections last September, the federation is yet to hold fresh elections, as demanded by the government, despite the 15-day deadline given by the ministry having elapsed last month.
