Equestrian Federation Reinstated as Delhi High Court Stays Ad-Hoc Panel Appointment

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In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has stayed the appointment of an Ad-hoc Administrative Committee (AAC) that was set to manage the day-to-day operations of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).

The court has returned the control of the sports body to the Executive Committee elected in 2019. This decision comes in response to a plea by the Rajasthan Equestrian Association (REA) and marks a pivotal moment for the federation, especially in an Olympic year.

The controversy began when the Delhi High Court, on May 24, ordered the formation of an ad-hoc panel led by Justice (Retd) Nazmi Wajiri to handle EFI's routine activities. This directive was issued after the REA filed a plea against the existing management of the EFI. However, the federation challenged this decision by filing a Letter Patent Appeal (LPA), which led to the recent ruling in their favour.

The court's decision reinstates the 20-member Executive Committee that was elected in 2019. This committee will now continue to oversee the operations of the EFI, a move that Secretary General Col Jaiveer Singh views as a significant victory.

Expressing his gratitude, he stated, "We had faith in the judiciary. We thank the court for hearing our concerns and delivering justice in this case. This is a crucial Olympic year and we want to stay focused on providing the best possible support to our athletes. This decision will help us in our endeavors."

India's equestrian team has already secured a quota for the Paris Olympics in the Dressage event, thanks to the efforts of Asian Games bronze medallist Anush Agarwalla.

Agarwalla's impressive performances in four FEI events across Europe earned him this quota. As with other sports like shooting and wrestling, the Olympic quotas belong to the National Federation, making the EFI's role crucial in the lead-up to the Games.

The REA had previously accused the current EFI administration of extending their terms illegally and breaching the Sports Code by granting voting rights to clubs and institutions instead of reserving them for state associations.

In defense, Col Jaiveer Singh argued, "We have done nothing wrong. The allegations of impropriety were baseless. We have always worked for the betterment of the sport and our athletes and will continue to do so."

Interestingly, the rival faction within the EFI also views the court's decision as a victory. Col Rajesh Pattu, a three-time Asian Games medalist and Arjuna awardee, commented from Germany, "It's a big victory for the equestrian fraternity and not Col Jaiveer Singh.

"He was running the federation like a dictator and now all the decisions taken by him, financial or policy-related, will hopefully be reviewed by the Executive Committee. It is a big win for the riders because the federation will be run in a democratic manner."

Col Pattu has also challenged the amendments made to the EFI's status, with a related writ petition scheduled to be heard by the Delhi High Court on July 2. This ongoing legal tussle underscores the complexities and challenges faced by sports federations in maintaining governance and transparency while striving to support their athletes.

As the equestrian community looks ahead, the focus will undoubtedly be on ensuring a stable and supportive environment for the athletes, especially with the Paris Olympics on the horizon. The recent court ruling is a crucial step in this direction, aiming to restore order and confidence within the EFI.