NSFs granted two-day extension from Sports Ministry to submit Sports Code questionnaire upon IOA's request

The National Sports Federations (NSFs) got a two-day extension from the Sports Ministry till 13 August to submit a set of Sports Code questionnaire pertaining to age and tenure after a request from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The responses to the Sports Code questionnaire is crucial for all NSFs as a case is pending in the Delhi High Court, whose next date of hearing is on August 21. The ministry acceded to IOA’s request after its president Narinder Batra and secretary-general Rajeev Mehta held a meeting with Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Sports Secretary Ravi Mittal on Tuesday. “We had a very positive meeting with Hon’ble Union Sports Minister and Secretary Sports today on 11th August, 2020. A detailed discussion took place on preparations for Olympics, sports code and all other issues concerning the NSFs were discussed,” IOA chief Batra and secretary-general Mehta said in a joint statement. “The Case in Delhi High Court is fixed for 21st August, 2020 and the information requested by MoYAS can now be given by 13th August. “In case you have already submitted the required information and feel that you do not need to share anything more/additional, then you can simply inform the concerned in ministry that the required information has already been provided.” The ministry had earlier asked the 57 National Sports Federations (NSFs), which had their provisional recognition withdrawn on the instructions of the HC for violation of the National Sports Code’s age and tenure guidelines, to reply to the questionnaire by 11 August. The IOA, however, demanded four weeks’ worth of time, stating that the NSFs are working with depleted staff due to COVID-19 pandemic. The IOA top officials said the Sports Minister has agreed to hold further discussions on the matter with a delegation from the Olympic body in future. “On the request of President & Secretary-General (IOA) the Hon’ble Union Sports Minister agreed to meet with an IOA delegation comprising of 10 to 12 members to take the discussions forward,” the statement said. “Once again the discussions were discussed in a very positive atmosphere and full support will be provided for preparation for Olympics and running of all sporting activity.” The situation arose after the Delhi High Court had turned down the petition moved by the Sports Ministry seeking modification of its 7 February order which had barred the Centre and the IOA from taking any decision regarding the NSFs without informing it. On 24 June, the High Court had directed the ministry to revoke the provisional recognition it had granted to the NSFs on 11 May, which the government complied with.