The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– Aug 24, 2022; Day 344

Sporting trouble: On Supreme Court terminating mandate to manage the football body

The Supreme Court did well to hand over the daily affairs of AIFF to its administration

The Supreme Court of India’s order on Monday terminating the mandate of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) to temporarily manage the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to pave the way for (to make it easier for (something to happen or someone to do something)) ending India’s international isolation (A country’s withdrawal from international politics). World football’s governing body FIFA had suspended the AIFF on August 15 citing (Make reference to) “undue interference from a third party” and made a decision reversal conditional on the full repeal of the CoA’s mandate and the handing back of the AIFF’s daily affairs to the AIFF administration. Both these conditions have been met, alongside key amendments to the draft constitution as desired by FIFA – limiting the electoral college (an organized group of people who have special duties and powers) to just State association nominees and instead giving players representation as nominated members in the Executive Committee. There are still points of friction (A state of conflict between persons) over calculation of term limits and the ‘one person, one post’ principle in the draft constitution. But these are unlikely to foil (Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of) India’s rehabilitation and its attempts to win back U-17 Women’s World Cup hosting rights. There are apprehensions (Fearful expectation or anticipation) that the disbanding (Cause to break up or cease to function) of the CoA will have an impact on other sports such as hockey and table tennis, which are also functioning under court-appointed committees. But it is to be noted that the Court merely ended the CoA’s tenure and did not nullify (Declare invalid) all of its actions. The AIFF will still be guided by the draft constitution the CoA helped finalise, albeit (Even though) with a few amendments.

While the AIFF seems to have weathered the storm (to deal with a difficult situation without being harmed or damaged too much), the suspension, however brief it may turn out to be, has come at an enormous (Extraordinarily large in amount) cost for the women of Gokulam Kerala FC, whose dreams of competing in their maiden (Being the first occurrence or first event of some type) AFC Asian Women’s Club Championship were shattered (Damage or destroy). The Union Sports Ministry should play a more active role in ensuring that the athletes and the sport are protected. The whole saga (A narrative) has its roots in the erstwhile AIFF establishment’s non-adherence to the National Sports Development Code for 18 months. The Sports Code is a government-mandated regulation, and the onus (An onerous or difficult concern) is on the Ministry to crack the whip (use power or authority to make a person or group work harder or behave in a disciplined way) on erring (Capable of making an error) federations. But it seemingly did not act until the matter reached the highest court and it sensed that India would lose out on the World Cup. As in the case of the AIFF, the Indian Olympic Association has been in the dock (being tried in a court) and the Delhi High Court duly placed it under a CoA. The Supreme Court has since ordered status quo for at least four more weeks. It would be prudent for all stakeholders to use this time to put the house in order.

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