Ministry issues fresh deadline to Sports Federations

The Sports Ministry has issued a fresh deadline to all National Sports Federations, which have not amended their constitution in accordance with the sports code, to make their position clear by February 28, failing which their government recognition could be "impacted".

"The letter may be treated as most immediate and a reply in this regard must be sent by February 28, 2013. The NSFs are also advised that continuation of their recognition by the Government may be impacted if the already agreed amendments are not carried out," a source in the Ministry informed.

So far, out of 53 recognised NSFs in the country, 29 haveresponded positively to the Ministry's letter, dated January 11, 2013, for amending the constitution, incorporating the guidelines relating to age and tenure limits.

The Ministry, on Wednesday, shot off a fresh letter, not only to those 24 NSFs who are yet to make the required changes in their constitution, but also others, asking them to complete all the formalities by June 30, 2013.

"All formalities, including holding special General Body Meeting should be completed at the earliest and the amendments should be carried out latest by June 30, 2013," the official said.

The 24 Federations, including tennis, football, boxing, wrestling, badminton, weightlifting and golf.

Even though the suspended Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) recently claimed that it had incorporated the government guidelines on age and tenure in its amended constitution, the Ministry said it hasn't received anything from the boxing body.

"The Ministry hasn't received anything from the IABF. It is there in the news but we don't have any conformation," the official said.