SC Declines to Interfere in Taekwondo NSF Recognition Dispute

Last month, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court’s decision, which held that until the Sports Ministry decided on the recognition of the National Sports Federation (NSF) for the sport of Taekwondo, neither the Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI) nor India Taekwondo would act as the NSF.[1]

The dispute arose from a communication dated May 8, 2025, issued by the Ministry recognising India Taekwondo as the NSF despite TFI already holding recognition. In its judgment dated November 18, 2025, the Delhi High Court set aside the communication for violating the Sports Code, observing that no due process had been followed to suspend or withdraw TFI’s recognition and that the Ministry had failed to consider concerns regarding India Taekwondo’s incorporation and background. The Court further held that NSF recognition could not be granted at the whims or directives of an international federation and directed the Union of India to reconsider the matter after hearing all stakeholders and to issue a reasoned decision, clarifying that TFI would continue as NSF in the interim.

On appeal, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court had modified the judgment earlier this year, directing the issuance of a show-cause notice to TFI under the Sports Code and prescribing an expedited timeline for submissions by both federations. The Ministry was directed to decide on recognition within six weeks by issuing a reasoned order after granting both parties an opportunity to be heard. Pending such a decision, neither body was permitted to act as the NSF, though both were allowed to approach World Taekwondo for affiliation.

The Supreme Court ultimately declined to interfere, and the SLPs were dismissed as withdrawn.

[1] Taekwondo Federation of India v. Union of India and Ors., SLP(C) Nos. 2920-2921/2026