Sports Ministry Takes Action Against Equestrian Federation of India
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a formal show-cause notice to the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), raising serious concerns about governance failures and internal factionalism that have compromised the federation's operations and jeopardized the future of Indian equestrian athletes.
Multiple Governance Lapses Identified
In a detailed four-page notice, the ministry highlighted numerous systemic failures within the EFI's administration. The federation has failed to publish its annual competition calendar for 2025, including national championships, creating uncertainty for athletes and stakeholders. Additionally, the EFI has not utilized allocated funds from the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) budget in both previous and current years, raising questions about financial management.
The ministry noted the absence of empaneled coaches and support staff, along with the failure to submit concrete plans for upcoming Asian Games and publish selection policies for these major international events. These administrative shortcomings demonstrate what the ministry described as "governance failure on part of EFI."
Controversial Team Selection Raises Concerns
A particularly troubling incident involved Colonel (retired) Tarsem Singh Warraich, an EFI executive committee member facing sexual harassment charges, who traveled with India's Tent Pegging team as manager-cum-coach for World Cup qualifiers in Jordan while out on bail. The ministry has demanded a separate explanation from the EFI regarding Warraich's selection for this international event despite his legal situation.
The ministry emphasized that "the recent issues pertaining to the selection of athletes for the Asian Youth Games demonstrates that the malfunctioning of EFI is now explicitly hurting the interest of athletes and is resulting in potential embarrassment for the country on the world stage."
Judicial Observations and Membership Irregularities
The ministry's notice references a Delhi High Court order dated December 23, 2025, which observed that "serious disputes persist in relation to almost every aspect of the functioning of EFI." The court specifically noted discrepancies in the federation's membership structure, highlighting that the EFI has granted direct membership to numerous individuals, clubs, and Indian Army units including dog units, supply depots, and mechanized transport battalions.
According to judicial observations, "such inclusion appears to have been undertaken with a view to maintaining majority voting strength and effective control of the EFI. A substantial portion of the EFI's membership comprises officers or clubs affiliated with the Indian Army." This membership pattern has contributed to the governance challenges and factionalism within the organization.
International Consequences and Athlete Impact
The ministry warned that the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has threatened possible disaffiliation of the EFI due to these governance issues. Such disaffiliation would have devastating consequences for Indian equestrian athletes, potentially barring them from international competitions and undermining years of training and preparation.
The Delhi High Court and court-appointed observer Justice (retired) Najmi Waziri have repeatedly highlighted that the absence of a duly elected governing body has severely affected the federation's governance and compromised athlete interests. Currently, the EFI is being run by interim president Colonel (retired) Jagat Singh and secretary general Colonel (retired) Jaiveer Singh.
Ministry Demands Explanation and Action
The sports ministry has given the Equestrian Federation of India fifteen days to explain why appropriate action should not be taken against the Army-run federation under provisions of the national sports code. The notice specifically addresses acts of omission that have created the current governance crisis.
This development represents a significant intervention by the sports ministry into the affairs of a national sports federation, reflecting growing concerns about governance standards and athlete welfare across Indian sports administration. The outcome of this show-cause notice could have far-reaching implications for how national sports federations operate and are regulated in India.
