Supreme Court directed today that the sports bodies should be managed by the sportsmen but not by businessmen or politicians.

While hearing the plea filed by Indian Hockey Federation, Supreme Court expressed its concern over the deterioration of Hockey in the country. Supreme Court opined that the sports organizations managed by the persons not connected to sports are making loss to the sports and games in the country.

Indian Hockey Federation fighting against its rival Hockey India, seeking stay on the proceeding initiated by Federation of International Hockey to find out which of them is to be recognized to represent the country at international events.

A bench comprising justices TS Thakur and J Chelameshwar said, “Sports are run by private individual persons. Private individuals are controlling the games in India. Can the game be held hostage by private interest? This is why hockey has come down and the team is struggling to qualify for Olympics where we used to win gold medals.  These officers run the federations at the cost of the game. They do not have anything to do with the game. It is a sad commentary on sports in the country.”

-SriJa