Centre Allowed to Disburse Funds to Sports Federations

The Delhi High Court has permitted the Union Government to release funds to the National Sports Federations (NSFs) for the participation of Indian athletes in international events, as well as for conducting both national and international events and for training and preparation of athletes. 

The court emphasized the importance of hosting international sports events in enhancing the country’s reputation and providing recognition to athletes. It also highlighted the need for early preparation, including athlete selection, training, and procurement of sports equipment, especially in light of India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The court also added Mr. Injeti Srinivas and Mr. Ashish Wadhawan as members of the committee to oversee the disbursement of funds to the various NSFs, taking the number of members to seven. The committee was initially constituted in April 2023, with the mandate lasting for two years or until the enactment of the National Sports Governance Bill. The committee will be required to submit quarterly financial statements to the court to maintain transparency. The order was part of a pending writ petition filed in 2020, which sought the compliance of NSFs with the Sports Code and previous court orders.