Karti P. Chidambaram, president of the Tenpin Bowling Federation of India (TBFI) and vice-president of the All-India Tennis Association, has said the Sports Ministry's reported move to ensure that office-bearers stick to just one sports organisation will not stand legal scrutiny.
“The company law states that a director can sit on 10 boards. Yes you can only be managing director of one company, but you can sit on the board of other companies. Cross-organisational expertise is valued in corporate circles and why should it be any different in sports circles?
“The sports ministry's proposed move won't stand legal scrutiny. For instance if P. Gopichand steps into bowling administration I would welcome him because he will bring with him the knowledge he gained from badminton,” Chidambaram said.
Chidambaram stressed that the government should not step into sports administration.
“The government should leave administration to the sports federations. I am okay with the government giving subsidies for sports travel and stay but once it steps into administration then you end up coping with bureaucracy and not much work gets done.”
He added that in the TBFI's annual general body meeting, an amendment was made to the constitution in accordance with sports ministry guidelines.
The latest rules state that the president may hold office for a maximum period of 12 years with or without a break and office-bearers will relinquish their posts on turning 70.
