Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports suspends recognition of Indian Amateur Boxing Federation

New Delhi: December 07, 2012: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports suspended recognition of Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) with immediate effect. This was announced here today by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Jitendra Singh at a Press Conference. 

The Minister said the decision has been taken as the election of the IABF held on September 23, was in violation of the procedure laid down in the Sports Code.

The major defects were:

The publication of the electoral roll was flawed because it was not possible for the electoral roll to be dispatched to members by post prior to the last date for filing of nominations and merely publishing on the website is not considered sufficient notice or information to all members.

Members were not given sufficient time to file nominations as the gap between the finalization of the electoral roll and the filing of nomination was too short to allow people to travel large distances and file nominations personally.

Nominations of candidates were taken from the floor of the House on a date which was after last date of nomination and this is not permissible.

In view of this, the entire election needs to be held afresh.  The Government has to suspend the recognition of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation pending fresh elections.   A notice will be sent to the IABF to confirm that they will hold fresh elections under independent supervision within a period of 15 days failing which the de-recognition will be made absolute.

Jitendra Singh said the International Boxing Federation has also suspended the IABF, pending enquiry into the elections held on September 23, 2012.  This will mean that boxers from India may find it difficult to participate in international events.  The Government of India will open a dialogue with the IABF to set in place interim measures so that the athletes are not affected.

PIB Press release

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports de-recognises Archery Association of India

New Delhi: December 07, 2012: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports de-recognized Archery Association of India (AAI) with immediate effect. This was announced here today by the Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Jitendra Singh at a Press Conference. 

He said, the Archery Association of India held its elections on November 9, 2012. While the procedures adopted in the elections were in conformity with the procedures laid down in the Sports Code and common practice, the Archery Association has violated the age and tenure restrictions prescribed in the Sports Code.  The President elect of the Archery Association of India has served for more than three consecutive terms in the past and is also above the age of 70 years.

The Minister said, the High Court in its Civil Writ Petition No.195/2010 dated February 15, 2012 and September 17, 2012 had directed that the Government shall not grant recognition to the Archery Association of India unless they hold elections as per the Sports Code.  In view of the directions of the High Court, the Government has no option but to withdraw the recognition of the Archery Association of India.

He said the Archery Association of India has been advised to hold fresh elections for the post of President, in conformity with the Sports Code.  They have also been requested to amend their constitution to bring it in conformity with the Sports Code and Olympic Charter. This would help avoid such conflicts in future.

 Singh said the impact of de-recognition will be that Government funding for the Archery Association of India will stop immediately.  Nor will assistance to hold national and regional championships be available.  The Government is contemplating interim measures, by which athletes are not affected.  The Government will also open a dialogue with the international body to ensure that participation of Indian athletes is not hampered in any way.

PIB Press release

Central assistance of Rs 4.50 crore sanctioned to Haryana under USIS

New Delhi, October 23, 2012: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has sanctioned Rs 4.50 crore to Government of Haryana for laying of artificial turf for football at Dariyapur, Fatehabad District under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS).

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is implementing  a Central Scheme, namely, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS), on a pilot basis with effect from the year 2010-11.This Scheme aims at construction of (i) Synthetic playing surface( for hockey, football and athletics; and(ii) multi-purpose indoor hall. State Governments, Local Civic Bodies, Schools, Colleges and Universities under Central/ State Governments and Sports Control Boards are eligible to receive financial assistance under this scheme.

Press release

Central assistance of Rs 0.96 crore sanctioned to Assam under PYKKA

New Delhi, October 23, 2012: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has sanctioned the release of balance amount of Rs. 0.96 crore to Government of Assam for the development and maintenance of playfields in 333 village panchayats and 22 block panchayats for the state of Assam under Panchayat Yuva Krida Abhiyan (PYKKA).

In September 2009, the MYAS had sanctioned an amount of Rs. 4.81 crore and out of this, Rs 3.85 crore was released earlier as first installment. The balance amount has been sanctioned for release now after obtaining the confirmation of utilization of said amount.

Under the PYKKA, which was introduced in 2008-09, playfields are developed and maintained in villages and block panchayats across the country in a phased manner and competitions are conducted annually at block, district, state and national level.

The scheme aims at creation of basic sports infrastructure in 2.50 lakh village panchayats and 6400 block panchayats in a phased manner over a period of 10 years. The scheme also provide for 100 % central assistance to State/UTs for holding annual rural sports competitions as block, district, state and national levels as also financial support for conducting National Women Championships and North East Games. 51,759 village panchayats and 1,538 block panchayats have been covered under the PYKKA Scheme, during the last four years (2008-09 to 2011-12) for development and maintenance of playfields.

Press release

Central assistance of Rs 11cr sanctioned to Rajasthan and Chhattisgrah under USIS

New Delhi, October 22, 2012: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has sanctioned Rs 6.00crore to Government of Rajasthan and Rs 5.97crore to Government of Chhattisgarh for construction of a multipurpose indoor Hall under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS).

Out of Rs 6.00 crores sanctioned to Government of Rajasthan for construction of a multipurpose indoor hall at Karauli, a sum of Rs 1.80crore is being released by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as first installment. The balance amount will be released in two installments after receipt of Utilization Certificate (UC) and settlement of accounts for the sum of Rs 1.80crore being released now.

Out of Rs 5, 97, 79,000/- sanction to Government of Chhattisgarh for construction of a Multi-purpose Indoor Hall at Kondagaon, District Kondagaon under USIS, a sum of Rs.1.80 crore is being released as first installment. The balance amount will be released in two installments after receipt of Utilization Certificate (UC) and settlement of accounts for the sum of  Rs. 1.80 crore being released now.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is implementing a Central Scheme, namely, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS), on a pilot basis with effect from the year 2010-11.This scheme aims at construction of (i) Synthetic playing surface (for hockey, football and athletics; and (ii) multi-purpose indoor hall. State Governments, Local Civic Bodies, Schools, Colleges and Universities under Central/ State Governments and Sports Control Boards are eligible to receive financial assistance under this scheme.

Press release