The claim that Clubs alone nurture and foster Equestrian sport deserves to be looked at with seriousness, more so since it is being called a ‘peculiar sport’. That process can start by examining the veracity of Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) Club Members, especially those desiring fervently to remain on its electoral college.
Some things can be done quite easily. A simple check on how many athletes and horses are registered through these clubs with the EFI will be a good starting point. Besides, a look at how many clubs, claiming to propagate the sport, actually take part in any competition that is held under the aegis of the Federation will also sift the chaff from the grain.
Meanwhile, a cursory glance at the requisitions for the EFI Extraordinary General Meeting – now a part of an affidavit filed in the High Court of Delhi – reveals a range of anomalies. Of course, on August 13 last, Justice Sachin Datta of the High Court of Delhi restrained EFI from holding the Extraordinary Meeting scheduled for August 17.
From Club names conflicting with the organisations that sent mails on their behalf, rubber stamps being of Army Units rather Clubs, Commanding Officers rather than Club presidents or secretaries being the signatories and more. However, some requisitions catch the eye more than others and offer an insight into the mindset of some in sports administration.
For instance, Shivalik Wheeler Equestrian Club (5682 ASC Bn, Mechanical Transport) admitted the club does not run any equestrian activity. Two organisations, 505 ASC Bn and 42 Military Veterinary Hospital, whose EFI membership was terminated also sent requisitions. None of these seemed to have any qualms in joining the requisitionists’ bandwagon.
The membership of 505 ASC Bn (Ball of Fire Riding Club) was terminated on July 24, 2016, for non-payment of subscription fees for three years. And, on March 21, 2021, EFI removed 42 Military Veterinary Hospital, Chandigarh (Triveni Riding School/Western Command Equitation Node), for lack of equestrian activity.
There is no official record of either organisation having been readmitted in the EFI fold. And yet, in August this year, the authorised representatives of both ‘Clubs’ wrote to the High Court-appointed Observer SY Quraishi demanding that an Extraordinary General Assembly be convened as soon as possible, citing lofty objectives.
It is curious that they sought an urgent Extraordinary General Meeting for National Qualifiers Guidelines and Technical Guidelines, Selection Criteria, annual calendar and more. It did not seem to occur to them that they do not have any role in the Federation and its functioning. Worse, it appears as if the Court-appointed Observer turned a blind eye to such transgressions.
Despite being well aware that the High Court of Delhi is adjudicating a dispute on the composition of the electoral college and despite being aware that the EFI general meetings also allow individual members rather than just the voters to attend and lead the discussion, the Observer recommended that an extraordinary general meeting be held.
He would also recall that in February 2021, chairing an EFI Executive Committee meeting Lt. Gen. PR Venkatesh admitted that membership of clubs and units which do not have equestrian activity had long been a sore point. But the Secretary-General Col. Jaiveer Singh said EFI was not financially sound and these units had helped the Federation with their annual subscription.
It was around this time that EFI, stung by criticism that Dog Units, Transport Company Units, Veterinary Hospitals and Mule Units had full voting rights in the Federation, decided to revoke the membership of 99 units and clubs. It was a tacit admission that EFI had granted membership to clubs and units that had little to do with Equestrian sport.
A change in Statutes in March 2022 also led to change of categorisation of 85 Unit Members as Clubs and three as Institutions by the Secretary-General. Since these 88 units are from the Army Supply Corps, Directorate General of Supplies and Transport was informed about the switch but the decision has not been approved in the Annual General Meetings held since then.
Given the shroud of secrecy, it is tough to figure out the process followed for such changed categorisation. But it is a good wager that none of the 88 Army units would have written to the Federation seeking clarity about their membership after the EFI Statues were amended in March 2022 to reduce the number of member categories.
Since clubs are the first rung of the ladder of any discipline, all sport is club-based. Then again, some may seem more so than others. This is true in team sport like cricket football, hockey, basketball and volleyball. But that does not bring the organisations administering these sports exemption from complying with the National Sports Development Code of India 2011.
