SC okays AIFF constitution, directs promotion and relegation in top division, Pg 26.

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court approved the AIFF constitution drafted by the Committee of Administrators (CoA).
• The constitution mandates a promotion and relegation system in the top league.
• It includes a provision for 15 eminent players with voting rights in the General Body, including 5 women.
• The current executive committee will continue until September 2026.
• A special general body meeting will be called to adopt the draft Constitution within 4 weeks.

Detailed Insights:

• The ruling came after the AIFF challenged a Delhi High Court order that quashed the election of office-bearers, including then President Praful Patel.
• The Supreme Court appointed a CoA including S.Y. Quraishi, Bhaskar Ganguly, and Justice Anil Dave to formulate the constitution in line with the National Sports Development Code of India (NSC), 2011.
• The court clarified that disqualification for office bearers applies to ministers or government servants, unless they have government approval under the NGSA 2025.
• The court rejected a suggestion to disqualify individuals who have served in other National Sports Federations.
• Criteria for 'eminent player' requires male players to have represented India in at least 7 competitive matches and female players in 2 matches.

Key Concepts Involved:

• AIFF: The governing body for football in India.
• CoA (Committee of Administrators): A temporary body appointed to manage an organization's affairs.
• National Sports Code: A set of guidelines by the Indian government for the governance of sports federations.