Five Indian sporting federations likely to face ban in future

The Supreme Court appointed CoA to look after the administration of these associations.

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) has recently become the focal point of Indian sports. However, in the past, the court-appointed body has had an impact on the country's top sporting federations. The CoA will oversee the administration of elections to appoint officeholders with fixed terms and age limits, in addition to a new constitution.

Know Why Supreme Court Established CoA for AIFF

The AIFF, led by Praful Patel of the Nationalist Congress Party, planned to hold general body elections in November 2020. As its term was set to expire in December 2020. However, Ranjit Bajaj, the president of the football club Minerva Punjab, which competes in the I-League, Indian football's second division, filed a lawsuit against AIFF President Patel and the organization's general assembly.

The Supreme Court did not hear the case until May 2022. On that date, Patel was removed as president of the AIFF, and the organization he led was dissolved. In collaboration with state federations and football clubs, it established a three-person CoA and charged it with drafting a new constitution and conducting free and fair elections in India. The deadlines for writing the constitution and holding elections have been set for July 31st and September 13th, respectively

Moreover following that, in this article, we will look at five Indian sporting organizations that might get impacted by the COA's intervention soon. 

Here are 5 associations that were banned:

5. Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI)

In February, the Delhi High Court suspended the Table Tennis Federation of India's (TTFI) executive committee. The court appointed a Council of Administrators (CoA) to oversee its operations. The Committee is made up of Chief Justice (Retired) Geeta Mittal, Chetan Mittal (senior advocate), and S. D. Mudgil (former decathlete). The issue is in response to current table tennis player Manika Batra's allegations of match-fixing against coach Soumyadeep Roy and officials during the Tokyo Olympics qualifying tournament.

Players sued the CoA for selecting a player (Archana Kamath) who did not meet Commonwealth Games eligibility requirements but were Batra's regular doubles partner. Diya Chitale took to the court and was eventually chosen for the team. Despite all the mess created by the association, coaches, and players CoA is having a close look at the functioning of TTFI and might get banned in the future if any kind of improper functioning is found by the Committee of Administrators (CoA).

4. Indian Olympic Association

The CoA was recently appointed by the Delhi High Court to manage the affairs of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). But the Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction. Despite the IOC's threat to suspend the IOA, the ban remains in effect because elections have yet to be held. Due to corrupt officials and government interference, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the IOA for more than a year in 2012. Aslam Sher Khan, a former India player, challenged Narinder Batra's appointment as a life member of the Indian IOA, prompting the COA to investigate Hockey India's daily operations. IOA is however under consideration by the CoA and might get banned if they don’t solve their internal issues anytime soon. The International Olympic Committee said, “The IOC and the OCA have been following, with great concern, the latest developments affecting the Indian Olympic Association," IOC said in its letter to all the members of the IOA executive council.

“Should the IOA fail to fulfil its obligations and be unable to organise its quadrennial elections properly within the coming weeks, the IOC will, unfortunately, have no other option but to consider appropriate protective measures vis- -vis the IOA, including a suspension, until the IOA can operate as normal and hold its elections following the Olympic Charter and the IOA Constitution.

3. Boxing Federation of India

While Indian boxers have brought the country international recognition, the boxing community has been embroiled in administrative wrangling. The International Amateur Boxing Federation (AIBF) suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) in 2012 for election tampering. A year later, the organization was disbanded, and Boxing Federation India (BFI), which was later recognized by the world body, emerged. Due to internal squabbles within BFI, the AIBF decided to suspend the body and delegate the issues to the ad hoc body. Being caught in Election tampering BFI is still being closely overlooked by the IOA and might face some serious issues in the coming future.

Here is what the world body, AIBA, said in a press statement "further to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC's) suspension imposed on the IOA. The AIBA has decided provisionally suspend the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF)".

2. Archery

In 2019, the World Archery Federation suspended two Indian governing bodies, including the Archery Association of India. The suspension was lifted in early 2020, however, after the Archery Association of India held elections. Thereafter but since then Archery Association of India is under close consideration of the World Archery Federation.

"The Archery Association has violated the age and tenure restrictions of the Sports Code. The incoming president of the Archery Association of India has served more than three consecutive terms.

1. Hockey India

Aslam Sher Khan, a former India player, challenged Narinder Batra's appointment as a life member of the Indian IOA. Prompting the COA to investigate Hockey India's (HI) daily operations. The Supreme Court, however, maintained that Batra's life membership and HI CEO Elena Norman's position were illegal. Elections are scheduled for October 9, 2022, with FIH support, Hockey India has a fighting chance.

Moreover, FIH has a close look at Hockey India and the elections. Therefore if any type of improper functioning or controversy happens then Hockey India might have to face some serious impacts.