A new kickoff: Himachal football body calls for transparency after SC ruling

The Himachal Pradesh Football Welfare Association (HPFWA) has hailed the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on the constitution of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF), calling it a watershed moment for Indian football. The judgment, delivered by a Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, is being widely celebrated as a decisive step towards transparency, accountability and ethical governance in the sport.

In a joint statement, HPFWA leaders described the ruling as “a new ray of hope for the future of Indian football.” They said the Supreme Court’s intervention will not only ensure long-overdue structural reforms at the national level but also inspire similar changes within state associations, particularly in Himachal Pradesh.

State conveners Narinder Thapa, KM Tiwari, Rajinder Gupta, Virender Mankotia, Sunil Kumar, Tapish Thapa, Gaurav Bhardwaj, Harish Sharma, Anil Dutta, Sanjay Sandhu, Bahadur Singh, Rishabh Sharma, Rajkumar, Sushant Sharma and Parmanand Saini issued a united call for clean, democratic, and accountable football administration in the state.

The HPFWA expressed deep concern over the monopolisation of key posts within the Himachal Pradesh Football Association (HPFA), noting that the General Secretary and Treasurer have remained unchanged for over 14 years. According to them, such prolonged occupation of power not only undermines constitutional principles but also hampers the development of football, creating mistrust among players and stakeholders.

To address these concerns, the association has put forward a set of demands. These include:

Transparent functioning: HPFA and all District Football Associations (DFAs) must strictly follow constitutional provisions to ensure fairness and accountability.

High-level inquiry committee: An independent body should verify whether all DFAs are formed in line with AIFF’s approved constitution and whether their executive bodies were elected lawfully.

Public disclosure of records: A complete list of individuals who have served in the executive bodies of HPFA and DFAs over the past 15 years should be made public.

Future roadmap: HPFWA will soon unveil a comprehensive plan for football development in the state, with a focus on grassroots growth, transparent selection, and merit-based opportunities for players.

The association also announced its intention to meet Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the State Sports Minister, the HPFA President, and the AIFF President to present its concerns and constructive proposals.

“Clean and transparent organisations are the true foundation of a strong sporting culture,” the HPFWA leadership affirmed, urging football lovers, players, and organisations to join hands in the movement for reform.

This assertive stand, they believe, could set a precedent not only for Himachal Pradesh but for sports governance across India.