HC asks Centre, IOA to reply to Gymnastic Federation's plea

Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notices to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and others on the petition of GFI and fixed the matter for final hearing on November 19.

The elections for IOA office bearers is scheduled for November 25.

The GFI has challenged the IOA's order which has "erroneously" recognised GFI office bearers as members, whose elections, held on July 30 last year, were termed invalid by the ministry.

The ministry had then directed GFI to hold fresh polls, observing National Sports Development Code, the petition said.

The IOA records, however, still have the names of former GFI members whose elections were quashed, it said.

The names of newly-elected office bearers of GFI be added in the IOA list in the place of former ones, it said.

The GFI alleged its numerous communications to IOA to set the records straight have not been heeded to.

The federation has submitted the IOA order is against the interest of the country and negatively "hamper the selection of Indian players."

The GFI, which came into being in 1951, promotes competitive gymnastic here.