Delhi High Court Confirms that Sports Code Applies to Constituents of Kabaddi Federation

In KP Rao v. Union of India & Ors. [WP(C) 8915/2019], the Delhi High Court held that the National Sports Development Code, 2019 applies to the constituents of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI). The court, vide order dated February 10, 2023, held that the age and tenure restrictions imposed by the Sports Code apply “not only to the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India but also to all its constituents at the State and District Level”.

The Single Judge Bench of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva emphasised that if the representatives of these associations fail to comply with the said age and tenure restrictions, then they would be ineligible to participate in the executive committee’s elections. Further, the President and the Secretary of every affiliated member body (state and district) have been mandated to attend the General Body Meeting of the AFKI and comply with the said restrictions.

Quashing the election notification dated August 7, 2019, issued by the AKFI, the court directed the federation to conduct the elections (of the office bearers of the federation) within three months from the date of the order in the manner specified above.