NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry has suspended the recognition of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) over violation of provisions of National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI), 2011.
The suspension was enforced after the SGFI failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for the death of a young football player by drowning and the problems faced by the girl’s hockey team during the 2017 Pacific School Games in Australia “despite having been given ample opportunities”.
A letter to the SGFI secretary general signed by SPS Tomar, deputy secretary government of India, and accessed by ANI, reads: “Under the given situation, government is left with no choice but to suspend School Games Federation of India in accordance with the Clause I (vii) of procedure for suspension/ withdrawal of recognition as laid down in Annexure III of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, failure to provide accurate information to the Department as and when called for. In view of above, the government hereby suspends the recognition of SGFI with immediate effect till further orders.”
Nitisha Negi, 15, had drowned at the Glenelg Beach in Adelaide on December 10, 2017 while four of her teammates were rescued by life guards. The hockey team was also stranded and left to fend for themselves during that event.
SGFI had constituted an inquiry in the entire episode and the Sports Ministry had sought a detailed report from the federation along with the detailed account of action taken. The SGFI had then informed the government that team’s coach and three managers were held guilty and were banned for life.
However, when the ministry sought a detailed report along with supporting documents following the inquiry, it was found that the committee had not mentioned the names of any coaches/managers responsible for the negligence, the letter further stated.
Following this, the ministry had given a show cause notice to SFGI on May 22, 2019 asking why their recognition should not be withdrawn.
However, SGFI failed to provide ‘accurate and satisfactory’ reply to this despite having been given ample opportunities.
