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6 state assns write to Sports Min for EFI’s de-recognition

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/11/2019 9:15:37 AM

NEW DELHI, Oct 10: Six state associations have knocked on the doors of the Sports Ministry to derecognise Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) for non-compliance of National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.
The letter has also requested ministry and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to appoint an ad-hoc body to run the day to day affairs of the body the time needed to bring EFI’s constitution in compliance to the sports code. Six associations name withheld as they risk reprisals from the EFI board have written a letter to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju asking for the immediate derecognition of the sports body.
“We, therefore, request MYAS to confirm the withdrawal of EFI’s recognition as an NSF for the persistent, belligerent and continued breaches and non-compliance with the provisions of the Sports Code,” wrote Vidushpat Singhania, a noted lawyer on behalf of the state bodies. “It is humbly submitted that the circumstances pertaining to the EFI’s non-compliance with the provisions of the sports code are similar to that of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) where in MYAS has proceeded to suspend the recognition of the PCI for failure to abide by the provisions of the sports. We hereby humbly request the MYAS to treat the present case along the same lines as those in its decision taken with the respect to the PCI,” he added.
Rajasthan, which is one of the six associations, had approached the Delhi High Court after EFI announced dates of election September 29, 2019 despite in breach of several clauses of the sports code. The High Court had then directed the EFI to “refrain from declaring and/or notifying the results thereof without seeking the court’s approval.
Prior to the election, both the ministry and IOA had made their dissatisfaction with EFI top officials in separate communications.
On September 16, the IOA had informed EFI that it did not approve the election for breach of provisions of IOA’s constitution which provides for ‘one state one unit’ and reserve voting rights at Annual General Meetings (AGM) only for State/Union Territory Associations. The IOA has subsequently downgraded EFI’s status to that of an IOA member with no voting rights. Sports Ministry declined to send its observer and also communicated its displeasure.