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Sabyasachi Bagchi: Following an order of the Delhi High Court, the Sports Ministry withdrew the annual recognition of 54 Nationals Sports Federations (NSFs), including tennis, badminton, football, table tennis, chess, swimming, on Thursday.

The latest letter from the Ministry, addressed to the Director General, Sports Authority of India, stated, “in compliance with the Order dated 24.06.2020 passed by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, the Department’s letter of even number 02.06.2020 granting provisional annual recognition of 54 NSFs stands withdrawn.”

Renowned lawyer Rahul Mehra has been running some cases against IOA for last few years as he thinks that there are some irregularities going on in some sports associations. As per sources it has been learnt that after his petition Hon'ble Delhi High Court has taken this decision of withdrawing the provisional annual recognition of 54 NSFs.

Though AIFF Secretary Kushal Das didn't look much bothered with this problem. On being asked about the matter, Das told www.xtratime.in that,"It is not a problem at all. There are a few problems in some sports associations. Due to some problems in golf, rowing and another association all the annual recognition of 54 NSFs has been cancelled but everything will be fine in 10 days time. He further added that,"Generally the Sports Ministry grants the annual recognition to all the NSFs. Mostly they get the recognition in February or March but these three associations disobeyed a law of the Sports Minitry. That's why all the NSFs have faced this problem. But I think the problem will be solved soon as if it doesn't happen then all the sporting activities won't start anytime soon in India."

All the associations under Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has to take the provisional annual recognition from the Sports Minitry, but if they don't get any recognition from the ministry then Sports Ministry won't give any financial help to those associations. Due to the lockdown after COVID-19 outbreak, most of the NSFs failed to submit their papers to the ministry in time and after that Hon'ble Delhi High Court's judgement came on this matter and the Sports Minitry has withdrawn provisional annual recognition of 54 NSFs. Among those NSFs there are AIFF, Tennis, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Hockey, Cycling,Table Tennis, Swimming, Vollyball, Golf and others.