Read Time: 06 minutes

Synopsis

The Delhi High Court has recently allowed the Center to release money for travel expenses, accommodation, etc. for the participation of the Indian team in Special Olympics World Games, 2023. Court said that the same be spent only on the sportspersons and their training.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said, “…this Court is inclined to permit the Union of India to release money for travel expenses, accommodation, etc. for the participation of Indian team in Special Olympics World Games, 2023”.

“However, the Committee which has been appointed by this Court vide Order dated 25.04.2023 shall ensure that the money is spent only on the sportsmen, their training, etc”, the court added in its order of June 2.

The bench made it clear that the government money should be spent only on training and travel of sportsmen, on arranging coaches for them, and other necessary equipment and services like physiotherapists, trainers, etc. for their participation in Special Olympics World Games, 2023.

The court observed that the concerned sportsmen are intellectually challenged and a large contingent of so many athletes are participating, who require assistance, for which purpose support staff for these sportsmen be permitted to go with the team.

“It is made clear that the Government money will not be spent on office bearers of Special Olympics Bharat and office bearers and members of the various Sports Federations who are not concerned with the sports person”, it further clarified.

The court was hearing an application filed by the Union of India seeking permission to undertake necessary steps to implement the recommendation of the court committee in furtherance of the development of the sports. The Special Olympics World Games, 2023 are scheduled to be held from June 17, 2023, to June 25, 2023, in Berlin, Germany.

The application stated that the Special Olympics World Games, also known as "Special Olympiad", is an international sporting event that takes place every two years and alternates between Summer and Winter Games for the intellectually challenged sportsmen and is organized by Special Olympics organization which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Senior Advocate R. Bala Subramanian appearing for the Union of India submitted that in view of the various orders passed by the court restraining the release of money to the various sports federations, the Centre was finding it difficult to release money for the purpose of sportspersons to participate in Special Olympics World Games, 2023.

The court noted, “On earlier occasions when requests were made by the Union of India and other federations for release of funds to ensure proper participation of Indian teams in world sporting events, this Court has permitted the Union of India to release money to ensure participation of Indian teams in various sports.”

The matter will be heard next on July 14.

Case Title: Rahul Mehra v. Union of India