Indian women's kabaddi team moves Supreme Court for Iran tournament

NEW DELHI: Bringing to fore the worrying affairs of kabaddi’s administration in India, the women’s team on Monday requested the Supreme Court to direct the 'Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI)', which lost affiliation to the international body, to take steps to send them to 'Senior Kabaddi Championship' scheduled in Iran from February 20-25.
Appearing for two national kabaddi players, Priyanka and Pooja, senior advocate K Parameshwar told a bench of Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh that the women’s team is a strong contender for the gold medal at the event, but their participation is in doubt as the AKFI’s affiliation has not been restored with International Kabaddi Federation (IKF).
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IKF had disaffiliated AKFI on July 2 last year preventing both men’s and women’s teams from participating in several international competitions. The petitioners pleaded with the court to direct the Union Government to take steps for restoration of AKFI’s affiliation to the international body.
The bench initially thought that it was because of the presence of an administrator in the sporting body which led to disaffiliation of the AKFI. However, it was pointed out that elections have taken place, but the elected body has not taken charge.
“What is this politics going on?” Justice Kant asked and sought a response from the Union Government by February 3.
The petitioners said, “As AKFI’s disaffiliation by the IKF has not been revoked till date, the AKFI continues to be managed by an administrator (for the last six years). Centre and AKFI are taking no steps towards restoring the affiliation with IKF.”
International bodies revoke affiliation to national sports federations if they are not managed by a democratically elected body.