In a PIL raising issues regarding mismanagement of the affairs of Hockey Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has asked the Sports Authority of the State as well as the Sports Authority of India to provide some clarity on the formal recognition accorded to the Hockey Association.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court was considering a petition filed in the public interest with regard to the state of affairs in respondent No.8 – Hockey Andhra Pradesh, which is affiliated with Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati ordered, “A detailed reply be also filed to the various issues which have been raised in the petition.”

Advocate P Durga Prasad appeared for the Petitioner while Central Government Counsel Divya Datla represented the Respondent.

It was brought to the Court’s attention that there have been several petitions filed, which are pending still, which involve the issues about members of the Association as also issues regarding the recognition of the said association. One of the issues highlighted in the present petition was also with regard to the financial mismanagement and irregularities committed by the respondent Association.

Factual Background

The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh by its communication allowed respondent No.8-Hockey Andhra Pradesh to be kept under observation for three years after which it was ordered that the association would get recognition if it follows the National Sports Development Code, 2011. The observation period is to end in August 2026.

Arguments

It was brought to the Court’s attention that only after the end of the observation period, if the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh accords recognition to respondent No.8, an intimation would follow to the Sports Authority of India. It was submitted that in the meantime, on account of the pending petitions as also the currency of the observation period as fixed by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, there was uncertainty about the fate of those hockey players who have been participating in sports events organized by respondent No.8.

It was submitted that until and unless respondent No.5 grants formal recognition, their achievements in the said sport would not be beneficial either for purposes of reservation in professional courses or for purposes of employment.

Reasoning

Finding merit in the contentions of the petitioner, the Bench issued notice and also held, “We would require some clarity on this issue by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh as also the Sports Authority of India as to how the participation of players in the events organized by respondent No.8 would be considered even without there being a formal recognition accorded to respondent No.8 in that regard.”

“In the meantime, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh would consider the representation filed by the petitioner and pass appropriate speaking orders within a period of eight weeks”, the Bench further directed. The matter is now listed on April 16, 2025.

Cause Title: Mohammed Moinuddin Ahmed and Others v. The Union of India and Other (Case No.: WP(PIL) NO: 33 of 2025)

Appearance:

Petitioner: Advocate P Durga Prasad

Respondent: Government Pleader Y. Balaji, Central Government Counsel Divya Datla

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Andhra Pradesh High CourtChief Justice Dhiraj Singh ThakurJustice Ravi Cheemalapati

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.