The Honorable Chief Justice Manmohan and Honorable Justice Tushar Rao Gedela of the Delhi High Court have issued a notice to the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) to comply fully with the National Sports Code immediately. 

The Delhi High Court verdict, given on 28th October is the response to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former table tennis player from Ahmadabad and sports activist Yatharth Pandya on 27th October. In his petition Pandya sought the appointment of an administrator to oversee TTFI’s daily operations and a suspension of its status as a National Sports Federation (NSF) until it fully complies with the National Sports Code. 

In his petition, Pandya asserts that TTFI has not adhered to the National Sports Code, as mandated by prior court rulings, including the Rahul Mehra vs Union of India case (WP(C) 195/2010). 

The petitioner also demanded that TTFI must publish detailed financial statements and conduct forensic audits on its website to ensure transparency.

Pandya while speaking to Parallel Sports on Wednesday afternoon revealed, “Now TTFI has to follow the major aspects to comply with the National Sports Code such as no office bearer will be eligible to hold office consecutively for more than two terms or 8 years. An office bearer of a State Association may hold office as such for one term of 4 years, and may be eligible for re-election for a like term or period, The President, Secretary and the Treasurer of any recognized State Association shall cease to hold the post on attaining the age of 70 years.”

According to the National Sports Code (NSC), the Federation must make appointment of 25% of prominent sportspersons of outstanding merit with voting rights in the General Assembly and Executive Committee is mandatory in terms of clause 3.20 of 2011 7 Guidelines and paragraph 9.3 (xii) of the Sports Code. The TTFI will also have to publish financial data systematically. 

The Court has directed the respondents to submit their counter-affidavits within four weeks, with a rejoinder affidavit, if any, to follow. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on 25th February next year.

TTFI secretary Kamlesh Mehta when asked for his reaction said, “We have received the Delhi High Court order on Tuesday. We will be discussing with our lawyers and submit the counter-affidavits surly within the scheduled four-weeks.”