On Thursday, Judge Sachin Datta, while hearing Delhi state’s petition, has said that “During the course of hearing, it is conceded by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner association (Delhi Rowing Association), on instructions, that the constitution of the petitioner association itself is not in compliance with the Sports Code and the aforesaid judgment dated 16.08.2022. As such, the petitioner association, on its own showing, is not eligible to participate in the election process, which is impugned in the present petition.”
Interestingly, Harpal Singh, who had contested the RFI election for the president’s post in 2020 but lost to Rajlaxmi Singh Deo, will again be in the fray for the top job and filed his nomination from Delhi.
Outgoing president Deo, who has completed three four-year terms, hailed and welcomed the order of the Delhi HC and said it is a big relief for the federation as all members will be in Hyderabad for the election on Sunday. She also said that most of the state units are sports code compliant and the small number that are not will be compliant in the next three months as directed by the Delhi HC. Since the election result will be with the court, the current office-bearers have been asked to oversee the changes in state and district units.
“It is a very big relief for us and I really welcome the decision of the court,” said Deo. “The court has directed us to oversee the changes in the state and district units. I am sure this will be over within the time given by the court. Most of the state units are already sports code compliant and there are five or six that may not have adhered to the sports code, we will make sure they do.”
Deo also said that non-compliance is mostly because of age and tenure. “The states will be asked to follow sports code as directed by the court and age and tenure issues too will be addressed,” she said, adding reforms will be done within twelve weeks.
