A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking appropriate directions to the Centre and various sports bodies for the advancement of games played in the Olympics, besides promoting cricket. The PIL filed by lawyer Vishal Tiwari also sought directions to the respondents, Centre and other concerned sports bodies for recognising hockey as the national game of India.
Tiwari also sought directions to promote athletics at school and college level and demanded a special Committee to look after and govern the sports programme in schools and colleges. Tiwari in his petition, whose copy has been accessed by The Daily Guardian, sought directions to the Centre and other sports bodies for the “upliftment of the sports industry/athletics games of the Olympics by providing due funds, facilities and infrastructures”.
He also asked the court to direct the respondents to initiate public accountability of the funds allocated for the sports industry and perform greater promotional activities with due broadcasting of such sports.
“The history of hockey in India has been a source of pride for the entire country. In this sport, India has always been one of the greatest dominators of the game. However, it can be said with greater misfortune that for 41 years India hasn’t received any Olympic accolade from the game of hockey. In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, this time, India was, however, successful to secure the bronze medal in hockey after 41 years,” Tiwari said, in his petition.
“Hockey needs to be declared as our National Game,” Tiwari said, adding: “While India is a superpower in the game of cricket and has a track record of producing some of the world’s brightest minds and corporate leaders, it has struggled in other areas.”
“The game of hockey which has been a true pride of India has lost its popularity with no initiatives and support from the UOI (Union of India),” he added.