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Sports Ministry's Yoga Body Recognition Quashed!
13 Jul
Summary
- Court overturns recognition of Yogasana Bharat as NSF.
- Athletes drag federations to courts over administrative failures.
- National Sports Governance Act aims to reform sports administration.
A Delhi court has nullified the sports ministry's recognition of Yogasana Bharat as a National Sports Federation (NSF), citing procedural irregularities and a lack of proper state affiliations. The court found the ministry acted as a 'rubber stamp,' overlooking the established Yoga Federation of India's credentials.
This yoga dispute is one of several highlighting widespread governance failures across Indian sports. Athletes in equestrian, tennis, and wrestling have also sought judicial intervention due to alleged administrative lapses, opaque selection criteria, and delayed elections.
In response to these issues, India enacted the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, aiming to reform sports administration. The Act introduced a National Sports Tribunal for speedy dispute resolution and established the National Sports Board to oversee NSF recognition.
However, concerns persist regarding the independence and effectiveness of these new bodies. Experts and athletes emphasize the need for transparent, merit-based selection processes and robust grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure athletes are not forced to seek legal recourse.
