NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking recognition to hockey as the National Sport of India. The PIL was filed by a lawyer Vishal Tiwari, who appealed that the court should direct the Centre to recognise hockey as India's National Sport.
The court's bench (which took the decision regarding the petition by the lawyer) was headed by Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and also chaired Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Bela M. Trivedi.
In the PIL, the lawyer raised a question why the country cannot have a national game if it can have a national animal. The appeal also urged the apex court to issue directives to the government for the development of athletic games and sports and provide advanced training and funds to players.
The petition also mentioned about the game of cricket saying the country produces some of the great cricketers of the world, but it struggles in other fields. Hockey has lost its popularity in the shadow of cricket and thus the game does not find enough support from the government, the petition said.
Disagreeing with the petition, the presiding judge Justice Uday Umesh Lalit said "There should be a drive within people. Players like Mary Kom rise above all adversities. The court cannot do anything."
"We won't be able to do anything. You may withdraw the petition, or we will dismiss it," the bench said. The lawyer thereafter withdrew his petition.
Inspite of dismissing the petition, the bench expressed their sympathy for the lawyer who filed the petition, but also maintained that it was not possible to issue direct orders to the government in this case.
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