Supreme Court Calls for Inquiry into India’s Sports Federations
The Supreme Court of India recently raised serious concerns about the way sports federations in the country are being managed. On April 17, 2025, the court expressed its frustration, stating that these federations seem to have “everything except sportspersons and sports activities.” This strong statement came during a hearing involving the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), but the court made it clear that the issue extends to many other sports federations across India. To address this, the court is considering setting up a special commission to investigate how these organizations operate.
The Case That Sparked the Concern
The issue came to light through a legal petition filed by two women kabaddi players, Priyanka and Pooja. They approached the Supreme Court because they faced difficulties participating in the Senior Asian Kabaddi Championship 2025, held in Iran from February 20 to 25. The problem arose because the International Kabaddi Federation had suspended the AKFI, claiming it was not managed by a properly elected body. This suspension created hurdles for the players, preventing them from representing India.
During earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had already pointed out the lack of transparency in how sports federations are run. The court even suggested that a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe might be necessary to uncover the truth. To ensure the players could compete in the championship, the court asked Justice (Retired) SP Garg, who was appointed by the Delhi High Court as AKFI’s administrator, to hand over control to a newly elected governing body. This body was reportedly chosen in an election on December 24, 2023. However, the court clarified that allowing this elected body to take charge did not mean it approved of the election process. The matter is still under review.
Supreme Court hints at inquiry panel for probing affairs of sports bodies across country
This is not the first time the Supreme Court has expressed concern over the state of sports bodies in India. On March 17, the Court had remarked that many of these sports associations are… pic.twitter.com/ImSHBKpRB9
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) April 18, 2025
A Victory for the Players
Thanks to the court’s intervention, Priyanka and Pooja were able to participate in the championship. Their hard work paid off, as they won the gold medal, bringing pride to India. Senior Advocate K Parameswar, representing the players, thanked the court for its support. Meanwhile, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj informed the court that the AKFI is now under the new governing body, and the federation has regained international recognition. However, the question of how to investigate the federation’s activities remains unresolved. The Union government requested two weeks to provide further details on the investigation, and the court agreed to adjourn the case.
Broader Issues in Sports Federations
The Supreme Court’s concerns go beyond just the AKFI. Justice Surya Kant, who was part of the bench along with Justice NK Singh, emphasized that the problems are widespread across national, state, and international sports federations in India. He remarked that the situation is “most unfortunate” and unacceptable, as these organizations seem to focus on everything except supporting athletes and promoting sports.
During the hearing, some former and current players, including national and international athletes, filed applications to share their views on the federations’ mismanagement. The court allowed these applications, showing its willingness to hear from those directly affected. However, the court declined a suggestion to have the CBI start with a preliminary enquiry, indicating that it prefers a more comprehensive investigation.
The hearing also revealed tensions among different groups involved in kabaddi. Senior Advocate K Parameswar pointed out that the players’ achievements were being downplayed by some groups. He alleged that an alternate association had sent its own team, also called “Team India,” to compete, causing confusion. Justice Kant responded firmly, saying that athletes should focus on their sports and stay away from such disputes. He even suggested that the court might dissolve these conflicting associations to bring clarity and ensure that sportspersons are not dragged into administrative battles.
The Supreme Court’s strong words and actions signal a turning point for sports governance in India. By proposing a commission to investigate federations, the court is taking a bold step to ensure accountability and transparency. The court also made it clear that it expects the Union government to take responsibility for addressing these issues. If the government fails to act, the court is prepared to step in and expand the scope of the inquiry to cover all sports federations.
