Context
The Supreme Court, in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) case, recently emphasised that sports are not merely recreational activities but vital institutions of “national life.”
Key Observations by Supreme Court of India
Fraternity Through Sport: Team sports compel individuals to set aside caste, class, gender, or linguistic distinctions and work collectively towards shared goals.
Sports as Community Resources: Sporting facilities and opportunities should be recognised as ‘material resources’ of the community, essential for fostering social cohesion.
Avoiding Elitism: Sporting infrastructure must not remain in the exclusive hands of the urban economic elite; revenues from sporting events and media rights should promote inclusivity.
Institutions of National Life: Sporting bodies are institutions of national life, deserving of integrity, professionalism, and regulation in the public interest.
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