The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) is considering legal action following the Delhi High Court's decision to appoint an ad-hoc panel to oversee its operations. EFI claims that this ruling will impose a significant financial burden on the "poor sports body," forcing it to choose between paying the committee's fees or promoting the sport.
The court's order was issued in response to a plea from the Rajasthan Equestrian Association (REA), which challenged the EFI Executive Committee members' attempt to extend their terms, arguing that it violated the Sports Code.
Additionally, in a separate petition, the REA accused the EFI of breaching the Sports Code by granting voting rights to clubs and institutions, which they contend should be reserved exclusively for state associations.
The EFI maintains that it had received specific exemptions from the Sports Ministry, asserting that it was not in violation of the Sports Code.
"We have an annual revenue of Rs 2 crore and at least one crore will have to diverted to pay the fee of this ad-hoc committee, if it works for a year. As per the order, EFI has to pay Rs 5 lakh per month to the AAC chairperson and one lakh each to two members.
"EFI is a poor federation and it can't afford that much money to pay to a panel. In fact, the EFI elected members have not claimed even a single penny from EFI for their work. The elected members have always worked on a pro bono basis," said an EFI source.
According to the court order, the ad-hoc committee must submit its report within six weeks, and subsequently as directed by the court. The interim arrangement will remain in effect until further notice.
"If at all EFI has to pay, then it has to stop conducting coaching camps and reduce the number of tournaments it conducts because the funds have to be diverted. It will certainly impact the growth of the sport.
"The EFI legal team is discussing the legal options it has now because this order has not taken all aspects into consideration," he added.
When asked why the EFI Executive Committee members were determined to continue despite their terms having ended, the source responded, "This is for stability."
"All EFI want is stability. Elections are to be held, let there be an elected body. EFI is not against that, instead it is pushing for timely elections. Why the polls are not being held when even the Sports Ministry also wants it. EFI had got exemptions, which the Sports Code allows."
"The exemption petition could have been adjudicated concurrently in a relevant court and polls should be allowed, subject to final outcome of the petition. This would have helped in achieving stability."
When asked about the EFI website being down, the source responded, "There is some technical glitch. It is being rectified. It should be back in a day or two."
