Coming down heavily on the Sports Authority of India for not ensuring participation of the Indian team at the 20th Asian Men’s Handball Championship, due to some internal dispute, the Allahabad High Court has ordered SAI to do the needful at the earliest.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi and Justice Narendra Kumar Johari passed the order on Thursday on a petition filed by Mohit Yadav, member of the Indian Handball National Team.
Advocates Avinash Chandra and Narendra Shanker Shukla, appearing for the petitioner, contended that the budget for sponsoring the Indian team to participate in the 20th Asian Men’s Handball Championship, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 18, had already been allocated by SAI way back in March, 2021.
However, the funds have not been released yet, due to some election proceedings taking place to constitute the management body of Handball Federation of India.
As per Yadav, SAI was bound to release the funds since delay in election proceedings could not be allowed to come in the way of participation of Indian handball team in the tournament.
The argument found favour with the Court, which directed the authority to ensure that the country does not remain unrepresented at the event.
Earlier on January 11, the Apex Court had directed release of funds to the tune of Rs 29.60 lakh.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Surya Bhan Pandey had sought a time to obtain instructions on reasons for delay in release of funds.
He also submitted that the said dispute was Sub-judice before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Besides the ASG, Advocate Alok Saran appeared for the respondents.
The matter will be heard next on January 24.