A rather tricky sports issue has come before the Delhi High Court bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh. In an appeal, some national golf players have asked the court into look into how the Indian Golf Union (IGU), despite being de-recognised on March 28, 2018 and its president being removed from his office on April 20by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, keeps conducting trials for international events such as the Asian Games to be held in August in Jakarta.
The national squad players have contented that the IGU receives grants running into crores of rupees from the ministry and hence is answerable to the ministry. The stated duty of the Union was to select Indian contingents for all International competitions, regulate, control and administer the sport of golf in India and is covered under the ambit of National Sports Development Code 2011.
At this point, say the players, the IGU is still conducting trials.
The body has also announced trials for the World Amateur Team Championship, scheduled in August in Ireland in an arbitrary manner, as it is already a de-recognised body, the plea said.
On Monday (June 4) Justice Singh said: “If you are de-recognised, you shouldn’t send the names.” Then the judge asked: “Who is here for the Ministry?”
Having heard the details, the judge issued notice to the ministry to file its reply in 10 days.
The next date of hearing is June 15.
-India Legal Bureau