Delhi HC expresses concern over infighting in sporting federations

Delhi High Court expresses concerns over infighting in sporting federations, urges resolution to avoid disqualification by international bodies.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) expressed concerns over the “infighting” and “disputes” in sporting federations in the country, saying such an environment was not conducive for sports.

A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made the observation while hearing an appeal by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) against a single judge Bench’s order over its election process.

Counsel appearing for the secretary and treasurer of the federation said the appeal was not duly filed as it was instituted by the BFI president without any authority.

The BFI’s counsel, however, said the secretary and the treasurer were suspended.

The court asked the parties to “resolve” the dispute and said every sporting federation in the country was embroiled in litigation and “inter se disputes” came in the way of “interest of sports”.

“Every sports federation has some dispute. Your function affects the entire nation. Why this kind of infighting? These kinds of things pave the way for where you can be disqualified by the international body. Sports internationally is governed by international Olympic charter. The charter says the (national) body has to be autonomous. Autonomy is being compromised by litigation,” the court said.

Judge said, “such kind of infighting I can’t understand. Every single sports federation is in litigation.” The court posted the matter for further hearing on April 7.