Recognition of National Sports Federations requires strict compliance with applicable regulations, but the Ministry may grant exemptions under specific circumstances to promote emerging sports.

JUDGMENT :

SACHIN DATTA, J.

1. The petitioner is an association incorporated on 12.12.2008 for the purpose of promoting and developing the sport of Pickleball. The petitioner claims entitlement to recognition as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for the sport of Pickleball in India.

2. For this purpose, the petitioner submitted an application dated 18.10.2024 to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). However, instead of recognising the petitioner, the MYAS issued an order dated 25.04.2025 recognising the respondent no.2, i.e., the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), as the NSF for promotion and development of the sport of Pickleball in the country. The said order dated 25.04.2025 reads as under:-

“No. 10-2/2025/SP-I

Government of India

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

Department of Sports

Hall No. 101, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium,

Lodhi Road, New Delhi

Date: 25.04.2025

To,

The President/ Secretary General,

Indian Pickleball Association,

2nd Floor, Rituraj chambers,

Swastik Society, Off C.G . Road,

Ahmedabad - 380009

Email: indianpickleballofficial@gmail.com

Subject: Recognition of Indian Pickleball Association(IPA) as the National Sports Federation for promotion and development of sport of Pickleball in the country - reg.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to Indian Pickleball Association's request on the subject mentioned above and to say that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports agrees to recognize the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) as a National Sports Federation (NSF).

2. This recognition to IPA means granting a major role to the Indian Pickleball Association for promotion and development of the Pickleball sport in India. The recognition has been granted after relaxation of following provisions of the National Sports Development. Code of India, 2011:

(i) Requirement of three year existence of the federation/ association (para 3 .3 of Annexure-11 of the Sports Code 2011);

(ii) Requirement of affiliation of a State/UT unit with at least 50% district level associations affiliated to it (para 3.10 and 3.19 of Annexure-11 of the Sports Code 2011);

3. The IPA will be under observation with respect to compliance with Sports Code and for a period of two years will not be eligible for funding under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations.

4. The recognition of Government is subject to continued observance of the following terms and conditions:

a) The Office bearers of the Association shall invariably be appointed by election as per t he Model Election Guidelines issued by the Ministry. The various instructions issued by the Ministry, from time to time, including the age and tenure criteria, for holding the elective offices of the Association shall be scrupulously followed.

b) The Association shall give at least two months' advance notice to the Government for any change in its Constitution. The copy of the proposed changes should invariably be sent along with the notice.

c) The Association must maintain its accounts as per the Mercantile System of accounting. The Accounting year shou