High Court stays illegal affiliation granted to Handball Association India by IOA
The Handball Federation of India (HFI) wishes to inform all stakeholders, players, officials, and the sporting fraternity that the Hon’ble High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh, vide its order dated 20.07.2023 in CWP No. 15338 of 2023, stayed the illegal recognition granted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to the so-called Handball Association (India) (HAI) through its communication bearing no. IOA-I-14/2023/1336 dated 31.05.2023.
The Hon’ble High Court, after hearing detailed submissions on behalf of the HFI, recorded that the IOA, despite its own decision communicated on 20.04.2023 to keep the handball membership issue in abeyance, proceeded to unlawfully grant affiliation to the Handball Association (India) (HAI), in violation of established procedures and contrary to the findings of the One-Man Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
It is pertinent to highlight that the Hon’ble Supreme Court, vide its order in SLP (C) No. 14533 of 2022, had appointed Hon’ble Mr. Justice L. Nageshwar Rao (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India) to examine and recommend appropriate National Sports Federations for various sports disciplines. In his detailed report submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court, Justice Rao unequivocally recognized the Handball Federation of India as the legitimate and eligible National Sports Federation (NSF) for the sport of handball.
The One-Man Committee report specifically concluded that:
- Handball Association (India) was neither a member of IOA nor eligible to be granted membership.
- The Handball Federation of India was recommended to continue as the affiliated body.
Despite the clear recommendations and legal standing, the IOA, without any fresh factual or legal basis, unlawfully affiliated the Handball Association (India) on 31.05.2023. The Hon’ble High Court has found a strong prima facie case in favor of the Handball Federation of India and accordingly stayed the impugned IOA communication until the next date of hearing.
The HFI calls upon all players, coaches, state associations, and other stakeholders to remain aligned with the HFI in the larger interest of the sport and not be misled by unauthorized and illegitimate organizations.