The court affirmed the authority of the Sports Council to conduct elections for sports associations, prioritizing public interest and player participation over internal factional disputes.

JUDGMENT

'Kabaddi' is a team sport where a raider from one team will enter the opponent's half of the court to tag defenders and return, while the defenders try to tackle the raider to earn points for their team. Here, the raids are by an Association formed for the betterment of the game of Kabaddi in Kerala, and its members, driven by factionalism. Their foray to the High Court continues unabated, while the actual players, whose future is at stake, are made to wait in the wings.

2. The essential facts are detailed below. For convenience, the parties and the documents are described as in W.P. (C).No.12827 of 2024.

3. The 1^st petitioner Association is a body registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955. The primary purpose of the Association is to popularise, propagate and promote the game of Kabaddi in Kerala. The Association is affiliated to the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India ('AKFI' for short) and is recognised by the Kerala Sports Council, which is the apex body. The last election of the office bearers of the 1^st petitioner Association was conducted on 10.11.2020. Although the Sports Council had earlier suspended the recognition of the 1^st petitioner Association citing various grounds, pursuant to the election on 10.11.2020, the suspension was withdrawn as per Ext.P3 proceedings. The 4^th respondent, who was the Secretary of the 1^st petitioner Association earlier, challenged Ext.P3 by filing W.P. (C).No.7236 of 2021. While the writ petition was pending, the Sports Council, considering the stalemate prevailing due to the pendency of the litigation, issued Ext.P5 order dated 20.10.2023 constituting a technical committee for conducting Kabaddi competitions at various levels and to select the teams for participating in championships. In the light of Ext.P5 order, W.P.(C).No.7236 of 2021 was decided as per Ext.P6 judgment and the following directions issued;

“In the afore circumstances:

(a) This writ petition is ordered, recording that Ext.P38 order dated 20.10.2023 has been issued by the Kerala Sports Council ; and thus allowing the Technical Committee to act in terms of the directions therein.

(b) The Kerala Sports Council will hear all the parties to this case and take a decision as to who have to be recognized and in what manner. They will also be at liberty to decide whether fresh elections are to be called and the modalities for the same as per the Bye-laws of the Association and such other applicable Rules and Regulations. A final decision in this regard, either way, shall be taken by the Sports Council not later than four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.”

4. Later, the Sports Council issued Ext.P7 constituting Technical Committees at the district level for conduct of District Tournaments and selection of the official teams. This was followed by Ext.P13 order dated 12.03.2024, deciding to take necessary steps for conducting election of the 1^st petitioner Association as directed in Ext.P6 judgment.

5. The challenge in W.P.(C).No.1209 of 2024 filed by the Association is against the orders of the Sports Council constituting Technical Committees for conducting tournaments and to select teams. The challenge in W.P.(C).No.12827 of 2024 is against Ext.P13 order. W.P.(C).No.43510 of 2025 is filed by a retired Kabaddi coach, seeking a direction to the AKFI to constitute an ad hoc committee to ensure free and fair election to the Kerala Kabaddi Association within a time frame, in view of the failure of the Sports Council to conduct the elections despite the directions in Ext.P6 judgment. W.P.(C).No.4