Sports Ministry restores recognition of Gymnastics Federation of India

The Sports Ministry has restored the recognition of the faction-ridden Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) after 10 years, taking into records Sudhir Mittal’s election as president in the polls held in November 2019.

The recognition has been granted for the period till 31st December 2021. The GFI was de-recognised by the ministry in 2011 because of infighting in the body, and since then it remained so till the ministry’s order on Friday to recognise it.

Currently, the sports ministry grants annual recognition to National Sports Federations.

“It has been decided to restore the recognition of GFI with immediate effect and up to 31.12.2021,” a ministry letter to GFI issued on Friday said.

The ministry also took on records the election of treasurer Kaushik Bidiwala but said a decision on the acceptance of Shanti Kumar Singh as general secretary will be taken after Manipur High Court’s judgment on a pending writ petition.

“…the election of (Sudhir Mittal, president, and Kaushik Bidiwala, treasurer) for the 2019-2023 have been taken on records of the ministry,” the letter said.

“The decision of acceptance of S Shanti Kumar Singh as general secretary will be taken after Manipur High Court’s judgment in the WP filed by Shanti Kumar Singh.”

In the order, the ministry said the constitution/MoA of the GFI needs to be aligned with the provisions of the Sports Code of 2011.