The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that a few National Sports Federations (NSFs) were found to have violated the Government guidelines relating to age and tenure restrictions, irregularities in elections, etc. Government has taken action against such NSFs viz. Archery Association of India and Indian Amateur Boxing Federation have been de-recognized, Korfball Federation of India has not been granted recognition since 2012, Athletics Federation of India was directed to conduct elections afresh for some of their office bearers which they have complied with, Gymnastics Federation of India was also asked to conduct their elections afresh to which it has complied.  Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI) have not been granted annual recognition for the year 2015 as BFI failed to amend its constitution by incorporating the age and tenure limits for the office bearers and TFI failed to revalidate its registration certificate issued by the Registrar of Societies.

          In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, several controversies about Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding allotment of franchisees, match fixing, betting etc., reported in sections of print and electronic media, have come to the notice of the Government.  Various agencies of the Government namely the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and Service Tax Department have conducted inquiries into the allegations of irregularities involving the BCCI in the country.

Shri Sonowal said, Government does not interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) which are autonomous in nature.  However, it has framed National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI), which has become effective from 31/1/2011, to bring in transparency and accountability in the functioning of the (NSFs) for healthy development of sports in the country. The NSFs are required to comply, inter-alia, with the provisions of NSDCI for getting various concessions from the Govt. viz:-

(i)         Follow proper, democratic and healthy management practices which provide for greater accountability and transparency at all levels.

(ii)     Adhere to age and tenure limit of office-bearers.

(iii)           Follow ‘Basic Universal Principle of Good Governance’ of Olympic and Sports Movement.

(iv)           Adopt proper accounting procedures at all levels and produce annual financial statements.

(v)     Adopt impartial and transparent selection procedures.

(vi)           Take measures against age frauds in Sports.

(vii)        Hold elections as per Model election guidelines issued by the Govt.

(viii)      Comply with the provisions of RTI Act, 2005. Since Government in April, 2010 declared all the NSFs receiving grant of Rs.l0.00 lakhs or more from the Government in a year as Public Authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI, 2005.

          The Minister said, in order to increase the level of transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the NSFs, instruction have been issued to them to hoist, on their website, their audited annual accounts and the balance sheet duly audited by the auditors in the Panel of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.  They have also been asked to place the following on their website for the information and guidance of the stakeholders:-

       i.            List of core probables and basis of their selection.

     ii.            Details of coaching camps organized including venue, dates and list of participants.

  iii.            Notification of selection criteria for such events well in advance along with the details of time and venue for selection.

  iv.            List of the athletes selected.

     v.            Details of athletes, support personnel and other officials sent to the event along with the amount paid to them towards air fare, boarding and lodging, local transportation, daily allowance etc.  This is required to be placed on the website within 15 days of the conclusion of the event.

  vi.            Performance criteria which formed the basis of selection, actual performance in terms of timing, distance, etc. and the position obtained by each athlete/team.

          All these instructions have been made integral part of the NSDCI.

          In addition, the National Sports Federations receiving grant of Rs.1.00 crore and above in a year are subject to the audit by Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Government keeps a constant watch on the observance of these principles by NSFs.  In cases of serious violations, steps like suspension, de-recognition and non-renewal of recognition etc, are taken, Shri Sonowal added.

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