The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is set to establish an ad hoc committee to oversee the affairs of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI). This decision comes amidst ongoing governance challenges within the EFI and aims to ensure that the nation's equestrian athletes do not suffer, especially with the Asian Games approaching.
The Ministry has sought the approval of the Delhi High Court to direct the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form the ad hoc committee. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma brought the matter before the Court, emphasizing the urgency of the situation to protect the interests of equestrian athletes. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav has directed all involved parties, including the EFI, the Rajasthan Equestrian Association, and the Court-appointed Observer, to respond within 10 days.
This move by the Sports Ministry is notable because it deviates from the typical route of resolving governance issues within sports federations by holding elections. Instead, the Ministry is seeking an ad hoc committee to manage the EFI's affairs. This decision raises questions, particularly since concerns for athletes were not as prominently voiced in 2023 when riders approached the Court ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games or the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Ministry also appeared not to have taken note of young rider Chirag Khandal's decision to quit the sport due to frustration.
The situation within the EFI has been fraught with administrative logjams, involving the Executive Committee and the Secretary-General. While the equestrian community is eager for a resolution, the Ministry's decision to pursue an ad hoc committee, rather than fostering an environment for elections, has raised eyebrows.
It's worth noting that the Delhi High Court previously ruled that clubs should not have a role in the governance of a National Federation. Furthermore, the new National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules 2026 are now in place. These factors would seemingly clear the path for holding elections.
In May 2024, the Delhi High Court appointed a three-member Ad Hoc Administration Committee (AAC) to manage the day-to-day operations of the EFI. This committee was led by Justice (Retd.) Najmi Waziri and included former Chief Election Commissioner Dr. SY Quraishi and senior advocate Ms. Rohini Musa. The Court's decision stemmed from allegations of "impropriety" in the EFI's functioning, with Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju stating that court intervention was necessary due to the arbitrary and perverse manner in which the administration was being conducted. The AAC was tasked with managing all aspects of the EFI's administration, governance, and functioning until the next elections. The existing office bearers were directed to provide assistance to the Committee. However, this decision was later stayed by a divisional bench of the Delhi High Court, allowing the existing Executive Committee to resume its responsibilities.
The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) had earlier expressed concerns that the appointment of an ad-hoc panel would impose a significant financial burden on the organization, potentially forcing it to divert funds from promoting the sport to cover the committee's fees. The EFI also contended that it had received specific exemptions from the Sports Ministry, asserting that it was not in violation of the Sports Code.
The Sports Ministry's current move to form a new ad hoc committee underscores the ongoing challenges in the governance of equestrian sports in India. It remains to be seen how the Delhi High Court will respond to the Ministry's request and what impact this will have on the future of the EFI and its athletes.