Sports Ministry asks National Sports Federations to amend constitution

The Sports Ministry on Friday issued a letter to all the National Sports Federations asking them to amend their constitution in accordance with the sports code by January 31, failing which their recognition by the Government may be impacted.

"The Government issued a letter to all the National Sports Federations today asking them to adopt the age and tenure provisions of the sports code. The concerned NSF is requested to expedite the process and bring the proposal for amendment in the next General Body Meeting," sports secretary P K Deb told PTI.

"The letter said this may be treated as most immediate and a reply in this regard may be sent by 31-01-2013. The NSFs are also advised that continuation of their recognition by Govt. may be impacted if the already agreed amendments are not carried out," he added.

Regarding the suspended Indian Boxing Federation's (IABF) claim to have taken the first step towards regaining recognition from the International Boxing Association by preparing the draft of an amended constitution which would be compliant with the AIBA statute, Deb said the Ministry would have to see whether it is in consonance with the sports code.

"Hopefully, IABF will send us the copy of the the draft of an amended constitution and we will have a look at it and check whether it is in consonance with the sports code."

He also said that the Ministry has written a letter to AIBA asking it make suitable arrangements for the Indian boxers to take part in upcoming international competitions.

"We have written to AIBA on a very specific issue...in the coming months Indian boxers will be participating in about four events and since at the moment we don't have either IOA and IABF, who will send in the application of those competitions, who will select the team?

"So we have asked AIBA to put in a suitable arrangement so that our teams can participate preferably under our own flag," said Deb.

Deb said that the ministry is "awaiting AIBA's response" to the letter.

Asked if the government has spoken to International Olympic Committee to revoke the ban imposed on the Indian Olympic Association, Deb said that "the things are moving but slowly".

"What I can gather from the informal sources is that the IOC also now sees the need to set up some kind of an arrangement so that the work of the IOA can continue. Weather it will work through the elected IOA or through some other process that remains to be seen.

"Hopefully, IOC will start a dialogue with the affected party or the Government of India in the next few weeks."

The sports secretary maintained that the government, on its part, will make sure that sports code becomes a part of IOA's constitution.

"It's absolutely certain that we will look towards adoption of the sports code as a part of IOA's constitution."

Meanwhile, denying reports that government doesn't intend to support tennis' professional practitioners who roam the world on the ATP Tour, Deb clarified that there is no question of providing funds to the players as there's been no request made by the AITA in this regard.

"We have no request at all from the All India Tennis Association at this point of time for funding. So the question of funding anybody doesn't arise. When a request is made we will consider it."

He, however, made it clear that tennis, in any case, is not in the government's priority list.

"Tennis is certainly not our top most priority," he said.

"As it is, we don't fund any organisation unless there is an annual action plan provided to us. Our funding is primarily geared towards the international competitions, specifically Asian Games and Olympics," said Deb.

"So funding for ATP tournaments per say is not within our purview. Only training the athletes for Olympics or Asian Games or Commonwealth Games is. We will not fund people for participating in ATP tours but if AITA tells us that these are players who can represent India and with distinction then we will fund them," he added.