The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court criticised the Union Territory Government and its associated sports bodies for failing to implement and comply with the National Sports Development Code of India, highlighting ongoing inaction and silence on adopting the mandated governance reforms. A Division Bench of the Court expressed strong concern about the lack of responsiveness from the Sports Council and other relevant authorities despite multiple directions and representations aimed at ensuring that sports governance in the Union Territory aligns with the Code’s standards of transparency, accountability, and fair play. The Court observed that the National Sports Development Code was framed with specific objectives to regulate governance of sports associations and to protect the interests of athletes, and that non-implementation could adversely affect sportspersons and sporting activities in the region.
The matter came up for hearing as part of a Public Interest Litigation in which the petitioners highlighted the failure of the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, the Jammu & Kashmir Olympic Association, and related entities to adopt reforms required under the Code. The petitioners urged the Court to ensure that the State’s sports bodies take concrete steps towards registration, elections, and formulation of governance structures as envisaged by the Code. According to the petition, longstanding apathy and silence from the authorities had resulted in stagnation in sports administration and impeded development pathways for athletes in the Union Territory, leaving them without clear institutional support or an effective dispute resolution mechanism. The petitioners contended that the absence of compliance with the Code undermined the constitutional rights of sportspersons and organisational transparency.
During the hearing, the High Court noted with dismay that despite repeated judicial and administrative exhortations, there had been little to no action taken by the sports bodies entrusted with implementing the Code. The Court pointed out that the National Sports Development Code required member associations to adopt standardized procedures for holding elections, establishing disciplinary panels, and ensuring financial probity among office-bearers. However, the evidence before the Court showed that several associations in the Union Territory continued to function without conducting periodic elections or adopting governance reforms, thereby failing to accord with the statutory spirit and guiding principles of the Code.
The High Court emphasised that the National Sports Development Code is designed to promote grassroots sports participation, ensure merit-based selection of athletes, and safeguard the rights and interests of sportspersons. It observed that non-compliance by the relevant authorities undermines these objectives and called upon the Union Territory Government to take proactive measures to enforce the Code’s provisions. The bench reminded the respondents of their duty to uphold equitable and transparent governance and to create an ecosystem where athletes can pursue sporting excellence without administrative barriers or uncertainties.
In response to the Court’s criticism, the Union Territory Government’s counsel acknowledged the challenges faced in implementing the Code but attributed delays to administrative transitions and resource constraints. Despite these submissions, the Court reiterated that such difficulties cannot justify prolonged inaction when athletes’ constitutional rights, including the right to equality and fair opportunity in sports, are at stake. The bench observed that the exercise of executive power must be responsive to legal mandates and that failure to act would compel continued judicial monitoring of the situation.
The High Court directed the relevant authorities to file a detailed status report outlining steps taken towards compliance with the National Sports Development Code. The Court underscored that the report must clearly indicate timelines for pending reforms, including registrations, election schedules, and the establishment of governing committees in accordance with the Code’s requirements. The bench warned that continued disregard of judicial and statutory directives would not be tolerated and would attract appropriate legal consequences.
By pulling up the Union Territory Government and sports bodies, the High Court stressed its commitment to ensuring that the governance framework for sports in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh is modernized and aligned with national standards. The judgment reflects judicial concern for the welfare of athletes and the integrity of sports administration. It also seeks to foster accountability and adherence to legal obligations by public bodies entrusted with promoting sports development, reinforcing that non-compliance with the National Sports Development Code undermines both the rule of law and the rights of sportspersons.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.