The Kerala State Sports Council lacks authority to dissolve or intervene in the internal affairs of recognized sports associations as per the Kerala Sports Act, 2000.

JUDGMENT :

N. NAGARESH, J.

1. All these writ petitions relate to same set of facts and are hence heard together and disposed of by a common judgment. The parties and exhibits are referred to in this judgment as they are described/marked in W.P.(C) No.13077/2024 unless otherwise specified, for convenience.

2. The petitioner in W.P.(C) No.13077/2024 is a former Player and Captain of the Kerala State Hockey Team. “Kerala Hockey” is a State Level Hockey Sports Association. According to the petitioner, the Kerala Hockey's Governing Body is functioning illegally and arbitrarily and the members thereof are not entitled to occupy their respective posts. Considering the complaints raised from various quarters, the Kerala State Sports Council constituted an Enquiry Committee.

3. The Sports Council accepted the enquiry report drafted by the Committee without conducting proper hearing. The petitioner urged that constitution of the Governing Body of the Kerala Hockey is not in terms of law. The petitioner therefore prayed that Ext.P5 proceedings dated 14.12.2023 be set aside to the extent it refrains from allowing the representations submitted by the petitioner. The petitioner further sought to direct the Sports Council to pass orders on Exts.P1 and P2 representations within a time frame. The petitioner also sought to direct the Sports Council to conduct a fresh election to the Governing Body of the Kerala Hockey.

4. The 3^rd respondent-Hockey India filed counter affidavit. The 3^rd respondent stated that “Hockey India” is a national sports federation recognised by the Central Government. The 4^th respondent-”Kerala Hockey” is recognised by the 3^rd respondent. Process of election of Kerala Hockey was carried out under the direction and concurrence of Hockey India. An Observer from the Kerala State Sports Council attended the election proceedings. The office bearers of the 4^th respondent are competent to hold the posts. The petitioner is not entitled to any relief.

5. The 2^nd respondent-Kerala State Sports Council also filed counter affidavit. The Sports Council, in its meeting held on 02.07.2024, approved the election held on 15.05.2022, to Kerala Hockey. The petitioner is essentially challenging the proceedings issued by the Kerala State Sports Council. The petitioner is not a member of the 4^th respondent Association. Therefore, he has no locus standi to challenge the approval of the election to the 4^th respondent Association. The petitioner has not challenged the election.

6. The 2^nd respondent stated that there is another sports organisation named “Hockey Kerala” which had affiliation with Hockey India. It had recognition of the Sports Council also. Subsequently, the Hockey India revoked the affiliation of “Hockey Kerala”. The Sports Council has also withdrawn its recognition in the year 2014. The 4^th respondent-Kerala Hockey is allowed to continue as a recognised sports organisation as per the provisions of the Kerala Sports Act, 2000.

7. W.P.(C) No.17066/2024 has been filed by three petitioners. The 1^st petitioner is a 10^th Standard student and a Hockey Player. The 2^nd petitioner is a Hockey Player and has participated in the University, District and State Championships. The 3^rd respondent is also a Hockey Player. The petitioners in W.P.(C) No.17066/2024 sought to command the Sports Council to conduct District and State Level Championships in the sports discipline Hockey in the State of Kerala till disputes between the Sports Council and Kerala Hockey are settled.

8. The petitioners in W.P.(C) No.17066/2024 contended that the Kerala Hockey has