TNSVA cannot finalise state team for 36th National Games

CHENNAI: Observing that the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) has the power to select state players across the country, the Madras High Court held that Tamil Nadu State Volleyball Association (TNSVA) cannot finalise the state volleyball team for the 36th National Games in Gujarat.

Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice N Mala passed the orders on allowing an appeal filed by the VFI. The appellant sought direction to set aside the order of a single judge allowing the state team members selected by the TNSVA for the Gujarat 36th National Games.

The bench held that the game is not conducted by the Centre or Gujarat governments, but Indian Olympic Association which is conducting the games has made it clear that it would deal only through VFI.

“TNSVA will not have an independent standing to nominate or send its teams for participation in the National Games. TNSVA is affiliated with the VFI. The TNSVA cannot challenge the scheme set out in the bye-laws of VFI. It is seen from the constitution and bye-laws of VFI that it is the official organisation in complete and sole charge of all matters concerned with the game of Volleyball in India,” the bench ruled.

The issue pertains to a communication dated August 6 of VFI to the TNSVA to select men and women team members for the volleyball and beach volleyball games in the 36th National Games. The said communication was challenged by the TNSVA and the single judge allowed it to select players for the game. Aggrieved with the said order, the VFI approached the Madras HC with an appeal petition.