HC issues notice to School Games Federation of India

Madras High court today issued notice to School Games Federation of India on a petition seeking a directive to it to conduct martial arts event in the national school games.
Indian Silambam Federation had moved the High Court seeking conduct of martial arts event as per rules of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and state unit of Indian Olympic Association.
The national school games are scheduled to be held from January 16 to 20.
Justice M M Sundresh issued notice after Additional Government Pleader P Sanjai Gandhi opposed any interim orders, saying the petitioner-association had come to court at the eleventh hour.

The Federation contented that though it was formed first and obtained recognition from SDAT and state unit of IOA, the national school games authority had involved Jharkhand based Amateur Silambam Federation of India in the tournament.
Noting that there are differences between rules being followed by SGFI and that framed by SDAT and Indian Olympic Association's Tamil Nadu unit, the petitioner contended it would adversely affect the interests of Tamil Nadu students, whose academic prospects depended on the inclusion of the sports at school, university, state and national level events.
It sought to restrain SGFI from holding the silambam event as per its rules.

Silambam is a ancient defensive martial arts where participants exhibit swift foot work, attack and movement with sticks.