Justice Sachin Datta, Delhi High Court
An Emerging Sport: Delhi High Court I On Plea Seeking Inclusion Of 'Dragon Boat Racing' In Khelo India Water Sports Festival
|The Delhi High Court has directed the Union of India to pursue the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (host of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival) for the inclusion of Dragon Boat Racing as a competitive sport, scheduled to be held from August 21, 2025, to August 23, 2025, at Dal Lake, Srinagar.
The Sports Federation has been persistent in its attempts to include Dragon Boat Racing as a competitive sport in various domestic events. However, on successive occasions, the petitioner has ostensibly lost out on account of logistical reasons and ‘time constraints’.
The single bench of Justice Sachin Datta issued three directions:
“i. The respondent no.1 is directed to pursue the matter with the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (host of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival, scheduled to be held from 21.08.2025 to 23.08.2025 at Dal Lake, Srinagar) for the inclusion of Dragon Boat Racing as a competitive sport in the said upcoming event. The same shall be subject to the petitioner providing complete logistical and technical support, including the provision of dragon boats, trained technical officials, selection camps, and all the requisite infrastructure, without causing any difficulty or inconvenience to the hosting State. The same shall also, necessarily, be subject to the approval/acquiescence of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
ii. The MYAS shall vigorously follow up with the organizers/ host UT with regard to the above it shall be ensured that immediate steps be taken for the above purpose. The MYAS is also directed to liase with the petitioner and the organisers (Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir).
iii. The above arrangement shall be only for the purpose of Khelo India Water Sports Festival scheduled to be held from 21.08.2025 to 23.08.2025, at Dal Lake, Srinagar and shall not create any equity or right in favour of the petitioner for the purpose of future recognition, and/or for ‘grant in aid’ or for any other purpose.”
Furthermore Court noted, “While it is true that the petitioner is not a duly recognised NSF, even in the order dated 16.05.2025 passed by the MYAS, it was not denied that Dragon Boat Racing is an emerging sport with a growing international footprint. It is also a fact that recognition of a body as an NSF is a gradual and evolving process. The fact that the petitioner is not yet a recognized NSF as on date, does not impinge upon the necessity of promoting the concerned sport.”
Advocate Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi appeared for the Petitioner, while Senior Panel Counsel Udit Dedhiya appeared for the respondent.
Brief Facts:
The Dragon Boat India and Traditional Sports Federation has filed a petition claiming to be the sole internationally recognised national body for the sport of ‘Dragon Boat Racing’, in India. The petition stated that the Olympic Council Asia (OCA), Dragon Boat Racing was officially included in the sports programme of the 6th Asia Beach Games held in Sanya, China in 2020. Asian Games, held in Hangzhou from 10 to 25 September 2022. The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) has certified that Dragon Boat India and the Traditional Sports Federation (the petitioner herein) a members of the said international Federation. The Asian Dragon Boat Federation (ADBF) has recognised the petitioner as the national governing body for Dragon Boat Racing in India.
Cause Title: Dragon Boat India and Traditional Sports Federation v. Union of India & Anr. (W.P.(C) 11189/2025)
Appearance:
Petitioner Advocate Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi, Advocate Priya Jha.
Respondent SPC Udit Dedhiya, Government Pleader Dushyant Pratap Singh, Advocate Apurva Sachdev.