To
Mr. Justice R.C. Chopra (Retd.),
Returning Officer for elections of
Hockey India, 2010,
Subject:- Implementation of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Policy Guidelines relating
to elections to National Sports Federations – elections of Hockey India, 2010.
Sir,
Kindly recall our personal discussions which we had on Saturday the 17th July, 2010, on the above subject.
I had furnished to you a copy of the letter dated 15th July, 2010, from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) addressed to me in which the Ministry had desired that I should brief you about the conditional “No Objection” given to Hockey India for holding their elections subject to the implementation of the Ministry’s Policy Guidelines relating to age and tenure restrictions (copy enclosed). A copy of the Government’s order dated 1st May, 2010, to the Presidents and Secretaries General of Indian Olympic Association and all recognized National Sports Federations restoring the limits on the duration of tenure of Office Bearers of the said Organizations was also annexed to that letter. A perusal of that order would show that the said Policy Guidelines were initially laid down by the Government in September, 1975 and reiterated from time to time. These Guidelines were issued taking due note of the international practices and policies of Sports Federations around the world. The restoration of those Guidelines is the outcome of the observations and directions made by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in Civil Writ Petition No. 7868 of 2005. As the conditional “No Objection” to Hockey India for conducting their elections has been given by MYAS subject to the fulfillment of those Policy Guidelines, it now becomes incumbent on Hockey India to duly observe and implement the said Policy Guidelines in the conduct of their current elections of Office Bearers.
As per the above Guidelines, some restrictions have been imposed on the number of terms for which an Office Bearer of a National Sports Federation may hold office. It is also stipulated that no person holding the Office of President, Secretary General and Treasurer shall continue to be in office on attaining the age of 70 years. Obviously, the restriction relating to number of terms of office would not apply in the case of the present election, this being the first election of Office Bearers of Hockey India. However, the age restriction with regard to the above mentioned Offices of President, Secretary General and Treasurer shall be applicable in relation to the present elections.
You would also kindly recall that during our discussions you had observed that you would request Mr. Narinder Batra to work out the modalities for obtaining declarations from the candidates with regarding to their age qualification, as is applicable in relation to the Offices of President, Secretary General and Treasurer, which is maximum of 70 years. I hope Shri Batra has been advised accordingly, as such declarations from the candidates for the above posts will be relevant at the time of scrutiny of nominations for these posts scheduled to be held tomorrow the 20th July, 2010.
A line in confirmation would be greatly appreciated.
(S.K. MENDIRATTA)
GOVERNMENT OBSERVER APPOINTED BY
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports