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4. Mr. Chetan Sharma, learned ASG for the Appellant submitted that the Impugned Judgment is in the teeth of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011 ("Sports Code") as it directs the Appellant to reconsider the recognition of Respondent No. 2 as NSF for the sport of Taekwondo after according an opportunity of hearing to all stakeholders including Respondent No. 1 and Respondent No. 2. Further, the direction that Respondent No. 1 shall continue to act as the NSF till such time the decision is taken by the Appellant is contrary to the provisions of the Sports This is a digitally signed order.

7. In view of the above, it was submitted by the learned ASG for the Appellant that the recognition of Respondent No. 1 was conditional upon the compliance with the provisions of the Sports Code. As per the Sports Code, Respondent No. 1 was required to obtain recognition of the International Federation and, admittedly, 'World Taekwondo' is the International Governing Body for the sport of Taekwondo as recognized by the International Olympic Committee ("IOC"). Therefore, the recognition of This is a digitally signed order.

15. Heard the learned Counsel for the Parties.

16. There is no cavil that recognition of Respondent No. 1 was conditional upon affiliation / recognition by International Body being 'World Taekwondo', which, admittedly, Respondent No. 1 has not been able to obtain.

17. Further, the Parties agree that the provisions of the Sports Code apply for recognition of NSF. The Sports Code provides for procedure regarding the recognition, suspension and de-recognition or withdrawal of recognition of the NSF by the Appellant.

This is a digitally signed order.

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21. From a perusal of afore-quoted provisions of Sports Code, we are of the opinion that there cannot be any automatic withdrawal of recognition; nor can there be any automatic de-recognition. Clause (xii) under the heading "Procedure for suspension / withdrawal of recognition and consequences thereof" occurring in Annexure III appended to the Sports Code as extracted above in Paragraph No. 18 above mentions non-renewal of annual recognition due to default on the part of NSF as one of the grounds available to the Appellant to (i) suspend the recognition as an interim measure and (ii) withdraw the recognition.