The Haryana State Sports Associations (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2024

1. (1) This Act may be called the Haryana State Sports Associations (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2024.
2. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Haryana.
3. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

In the Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

1. (a) “Director” means the Director of the Sports Department, Haryana;
2. (b) “District Level Sports Association” means a sports association at district level duly affiliated to the concerned State Level Sports Association;
3. (c) “District Sports Officer” means the District Sports Officer of the concerned district;
4. (d) “Government” means the Government of the State of Haryana in the administrative department;
5. (e) “Haryana Sports Registration Council” means the Haryana Sports Registration Council established under section 3;
6. (f) “member” means the member of the Haryana Sports Registration Council and the Regional Sports Registration Council and includes the Chairperson and Member-Secretary;
7. (g) “National Federation/National Association” means a registered National Level Sports Body, known as Federation or Association or in any other name, duly recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India;
8. (h) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules made under this Act;
   • (i) “region” means a district or districts as the Government may notify for the purposes of this Act;
9. (j) “Regional Sports Registration Council” means the Regional Sports Registration Council established under section 5;
10. (k) “Registrar” means the Registrar of the Haryana Sports Registration Council or the Regional Sports Registration Council, as the case may be;
11. (l) “regulations” means the regulations made under this Act;
12. (m) “State” means the State of Haryana;
13. (n) “State Level Sports Association” means a sports association at State Level duly affiliated to the concerned national body, except Haryana Olympic Association;
14. (o) “sport” means a game needing physical effort and skill and is played competitively as per rules of the game at National or International Level but does not include Yoga;
15. (p) “sports association” means an association or group of persons, by whatever name called for particular sport and shall includes State Level Sports Associations and District Level Sports Associations.

1. (1) The Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish the Haryana Sports Registration Council consisting of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) a person, who is or has been an eminent sportsperson from the State and has represented the State in international sports events or a person who has special knowledge or experience of at least twenty-five years in public administration or law, to be nominated by the Government - Chairperson;
   • (b) Director, Sports Department, Haryana – Member-Secretary;
   • (c) two persons to be elected from the registered State Level Sports Associations having one vote each: Provided that the State Level Sports Association once elected shall not be eligible to contest elections for the immediate next term - Members;
   • (d) One person who is teacher of law or having practice in law for a period of not less than seven years to be nominated by the Government - Member;
   • (e) One person who shall be an eminent sportsperson having represented the State at National Level and participated in not less than three international level sports tournaments, to be nominated by the Government - Member.
2. (2) The Haryana Sports Registration Council shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract and shall, by the said name sue or be sued.
3. (3) The procedure for election of members under clause
   • (c) of sub-section
4. (1) shall be such, as may be prescribed.
5. (4) The Member-Secretary shall be the Registrar for the purposes of registration of the State Level Sports Associations.
6. (5) The headquarters of the Haryana Sports Registration Council shall be at such place, as may be specified by the Government.
7. (6) There shall be at least one woman member amongst the persons to be nominated as member under clauses (a),
   • (d) and
   • (e) of sub-section (1).
8. (7) The procedure for appointment, term of office, resignation, removal and other terms and conditions of the nominated members shall be such, as may be prescribed.
9. (8) The Government shall provide the Haryana Sports Registration Council such number of officers and other employees, as it considers necessary for the efficient performance of its functions under this Act.
10. (9) The Haryana Sports Registration Council may engage, in accordance with the procedure specified by regulations, such number of experts and professionals having special knowledge and experience in the area of sports, as it deems necessary to assist it in the discharge of its functions under this Act.
11. (10) The Haryana Sports Registration Council shall regulate the procedure for transaction of its business and allocation of its business, in such manner, as may be specified by regulations.
12. (11) The Chairperson of the Haryana Sports Registration Council shall have the powers of general superintendence, direction and control in respect of all administrative matters of the Haryana Sports Registration Council.
13. (12) All orders and decisions of the Haryana Sports Registration Council shall be authenticated by the Registrar.

The Haryana Sports Registration Council shall exercise the following powers and perform the following functions, namely:-

1. (a) to register the sports association at State level;
2. (b) to regulate matters relating to registration, sports administration and unfair sports practices;
3. (c) to promote, protect and enforce the spirit of sports in the State;
4. (d) to maintain a register of the State Level Sports Associations duly registered under this Act;
5. (e) to inquire or cause an inquiry to be conducted either suo moto or on a complaint received or on the directions of the Government relating to acts of omission or commission alleged against the State Level Sports Associations;
6. (f) to recommend adoption of international covenants and best international practices relating to sports and to ensure effective enforcement of competitive sports;
7. (g) to oversee the functions of the Regional Sports Registration Council;
8. (h) to advise the Government regarding measures to be adopted for promotion of sports and welfare of sportspersons in the State; and
   • (i) any other power or function, as may be prescribed.

(Establishment and composition of Regional Sports Registration Council)

1. (1) The Government shall, by notification, establish the Regional Sports Registration Council in each region consisting of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) an officer not below the rank of Divisional Commissioner of the region – Chairperson;
   • (b) Deputy Commissioner of the district in the region by rotation - Member;
   • (c) District Sports Officer of the district, where the office of such Regional Sports Registration Council is situated - Member-Secretary;
   • (d) two persons amongst the State Level Sports Associations, to be nominated by the Government - Members;
   • (e) two persons to be elected from the registered District Level Sports Associations having one vote each: Provided that the District Level Sports Association once elected shall not be eligible to contest elections for the immediate next term - Members;
   • (f) two persons who shall be eminent sportspersons of that region having represented the State at national level and participated in international level sports tournaments, to be nominated by the Government - Members.
2. (2) The Regional Sports Registration Council shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued.
3. (3) The Member-Secretary shall be the Registrar for the purpose of Registration of the District Level Sports Associations.
4. (4) The procedure for election of members under clause
   • (e) of sub-section
5. (1) shall be such, as may be prescribed.
6. (5) The Regional Sports Registration Council shall regulate the procedure for transaction of its business and allocation of its business, in such manner, as may be specified by regulations.
7. (6) The Chairperson of the Regional Sports Registration Council shall have the powers of general superintendence, direction and control in respect of all administrative matters of the Regional Sports Registration Council.
8. (7) There shall be at least one woman member amongst the persons to be nominated as member under clauses
   • (d) and
   • (f) of sub-section (1).
9. (8) The headquarters of the Regional Sports Registration Council shall be at such place, as may be specified by the Government.
10. (9) The procedure for appointment, term of office, resignation, removal and other terms and conditions of the nominated members shall be such, as may be prescribed.
11. (10) The Government shall provide the Regional Sports Registration Council such number of officers and other employees, as it considers necessary for the efficient performance of its functions under this Act.
12. (11) The Regional Sports Registration Council may engage, in accordance with the procedure specified by regulations, such number of experts and professionals having special knowledge and experience in the area of sports, as it deems necessary to assist it in the discharge of its functions under this Act.
13. (12) All orders and decisions of the Haryana Sports Registration Council shall be authenticated by the Registrar.

(Functions and powers of Regional Sports Registration Council) The Regional Sports Registration Council shall exercise the following powers and perform the following functions, namely:-

1. (a) to register the sports associations at district level;
2. (b) to regulate matters relating to registration, sports administration and unfair sports practices;
3. (c) to promote, protect and enforce the spirit of sports in the region;
4. (d) to maintain a register of the District Level Sports Associations duly registered under this Act;
5. (e) to inquire or cause an inquiry to be conducted either suo moto or on a complaint received or on the directions of the Government or the Haryana Sports Registration Council relating to acts of omission or commission alleged against District Level Sports Associations;
6. (f) to recommend adoption of international covenants and best international practices on sports rights to ensure effective enforcement of competitive sports;
7. (g) to advise the Government regarding measures to be adopted for welfare of sports in the region; and
8. (h) any other power or function, as may be prescribed.

(Proceedings not to be invalidated by vacancy) No act or proceedings of the Haryana Sports Registration Council and the Regional Sports Registration Council shall be invalid merely on the ground of the existence of any vacancy, absence of member or defect in the constitution of the said councils.

(State Level Sports Association) There shall be one registered State Level Sports Association, duly affiliated with the concerned National Federation/Association recognized by the concerned international body for each sport in the State under this Act.

(District Level Sports Association)

Compulsory Registration of State Level Sports Associations (Compulsory Registration of State Level Sports Associations)

1. (1) Every State Level Sports Association, subject to affiliation and other requisite conditions shall have to be registered with the Haryana Sports Registration Council under this Act.
2. (2) Every State Level Sports Association shall apply to the Haryana Sports Registration Council for registration under this Act, in such form, manner, along with such fee and within such period, as may be prescribed.
3. (3) The terms and conditions for registration under this section shall be such, as may be prescribed.
4. (4) The registration shall be valid for a period of three years.
5. (5) Every registered State Level Sports Association shall apply for renewal of registration six months prior to the date of expiry of registration in the same manner as provided under sub-section (2).
6. (6) In case any registered State Level Sports Association under this Act is disaffiliated by the concerned National body, the registration of the said sports association shall automatically stand cancelled.

(Compulsory Registration of District Level Sports Associations)

1. (1) Every District Level Sports Association, subject to affiliation and other requisite conditions shall have to be registered with the Regional Sports Registration Council under this Act.
2. (2) Every District Level Sports Association shall apply to the Regional Sports Registration Council for registration under this Act, in such form, manner, along with such fee and within such period, as may be prescribed.
3. (3) The terms and conditions for registration under this section shall be such, as may be prescribed.
4. (4) The registration shall be valid for a period of three years.
5. (5) Every registered District Level Sports Association shall apply for renewal of registration six months prior to the date of expiry of registration in the same manner as provided under sub-section (2).
6. (6) In case any registered District Level Sports Association under this Act is disaffiliated by the concerned State Level Sports Association, the registration of the said sports association shall automatically stand cancelled.

1. (1) If a sports association is not registered under the provisions of this Act,-
   • (a) no sportsperson registered with such sports association shall be eligible for entitlement of any grant, award either cash or otherwise, job or any other benefit under this Act or under any scheme framed or policy issued from time to time for participating in any sports tournament/event;
   • (b) such sports association shall not utilize the infrastructure and manpower provided by the Government.
2. (2) If the registration of any sports association has been cancelled under this Act, -
   • (a) no sportsperson registered with such sports association shall be eligible for entitlement of any grant, award either cash or otherwise, job or any other benefit under this Act or under any scheme framed or policy issued from time to time for participating in any sports tournament/event from the date of such cancellation;
   • (b) such sports association shall not utilize the infrastructure and manpower provided by the Government.

The State Level Sports Association or a District Level Sport Association, as the case may be, registered under this Act shall be entitled to have as a pre-fix ‘Haryana’ or the name of the district and the sportsperson representing such sports association may call themselves as players of ‘Haryana’ or of such district.

1. (1) Every District Level Sports Association registered under this Act shall have the right to participate in the sports activities conducted by the concerned State Level Sports Association registered under this Act.
2. (2) Every State Level Sports Association registered under this Act shall have the right to participate in the sports activities conducted by the concerned National body subject to such terms and conditions as prescribed by the National body.

1. (1) Every State Level Sports Association registered under this Act shall,-
   • (a) conduct at least one Inter-District State Level Sports Championship, for the seniors and juniors category every year;
   • (b) send its players and teams to participate at the National Level;
   • (c) arrange to give such prizes, scholarships, medals and other such facilities, as to encourage the sportspersons;
   • (d) arrange to provide training and coaching facilities for the players with the Haryana Sports Registration Council;
   • (e) maintain such records, as may be prescribed;
   • (f) give information to the Haryana Sports Registration Council thirty days prior about the sports trials and tournaments/events to be conducted and within thirty days subsequently, results of such trials and tournaments/events including the names and number of participating teams, the names of players in each team, the results thereof;
   • (g) upload the information under clause
   • (f) on its website;
   • (h) constitute grievance redressal mechanism to redress grievance of sportspersons, in such manner, as may be prescribed.
2. (2) If the Haryana Sports Registration Council is of the opinion that the State Level Sports Association has failed to comply with any of the obligations under sub-section (1), it may, after giving a reasonable opportunity of hearing, impose a fine which shall not be less than five lakhs rupees but which may extend to ten lakhs rupees or cancel the registration for reasons to be recorded in writing.

1. (1) Every District Level Sports Association registered under this Act shall,-
   • (a) conduct at least one District Level Sports Championship for senior and junior category every year;
   • (b) send its players and teams to participate at the State Level;
   • (c) arrange to give such prizes, scholarships, medals and other such facilities, as to encourage the sportspersons;
   • (d) arrange to provide training and coaching facilities for the players;
   • (e) maintain such records, as may be prescribed;
   • (f) give information to the Regional Sports Registration Council thirty days prior about the sports trials and tournaments/events to be conducted and within thirty days subsequently, results of such trials and tournaments/events including the names and number of participating teams, the names of players in each team, the results thereof;
   • (g) upload the information under clause
   • (f) on its website;
   • (h) constitute grievance redressal mechanism to redress grievance of sportspersons, in such manner, as may be prescribed.
2. (2) If the Regional Sports Registration Council is of the opinion that the District Level Sports Association has failed to comply with any of the obligations under sub-section (1), it may, after giving a reasonable opportunity of hearing, impose a fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees or cancel the registration for reasons to be recorded in writing.

1. (1) The Haryana Sports Registration Council may depute an observer who shall be present during such sports trials and tournament/event to be organized by State Level Sports Associations.
2. (2) The Regional Sports Registration Council may depute an observer who shall be present during such sports trials and tournament/event to be organized by District Level Sports Associations.
3. (3) The State Level Sports Association or the District Level Sports Association, as the case may be, shall provide the observer a detailed information of the daily sports trials and tournament/event including the number of participating team, the name of players in each team, the result of the sports trials and tournament/event etc.
4. (4) The observer shall submit its report to the Haryana Sports Registration Council or the Regional Sports Registration Council, as the case may be, as soon as possible but not later than seven days from the date of conclusion of the sports trials and tournament/event.

1. (1) The Haryana Sports Registration Council or the Regional Sports Registration Council, as the case may be, may, either on its own motion or on a complaint against any sports associations or on the direction of the Government, inquire into such complaint and pass an appropriate order for cancellation of the registration or removal of office bearers of such sports association: Provided that no order shall be passed without giving an opportunity of hearing to the parties: Provided further that in case of cancellation of registration of any sports association, the Haryana Sports Registration Council or the Regional Sports Registration Council, as the case may be, shall specify the date from which the effect of such cancellation shall come into effect.
2. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the Haryana Sports Registration Council or the Regional Sports Registration Council, as the case may be, may,-
   • (a) appoint an ad-hoc committee to run the affairs of the concerned sports association;
   • (b) appoint auditors to carry out such audits, as may be deemed necessary;
   • (c) initiate prosecution against the concerned sports association;
   • (d) pass such other order, as it may deem fit.

1. (1) Any person aggrieved by any order passed by the Regional Sports Registration Council may file an appeal before the Haryana Sports Registration Council within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of such order in such form and manner along with such fee, as may be prescribed: Provided that the appeal may be entertained after the aforesaid period if the Haryana Sports Registration Council is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient reason for the delay.
2. (2) Any person aggrieved by any order passed by the Haryana Sports Registration Council may file an appeal before the Government within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of such order in such form and manner along with such fee, as may be prescribed: Provided that the appeal may be entertained after the aforesaid period if the Government satisfied that the appellant had sufficient reason for the delay.
3. (3) The appeal filed under sub-section
4. (1) or sub-section
5. (2) shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and preferably within a period of ninety days from the date of filing of the appeal: Provided that where any such appeal could not be disposed of within the said period of ninety days, the appeal shall be decided within a further period of sixty days for reasons to be recorded in writing for not disposing of the application or appeal within that period.
6. (4) The decision of the Government shall be final.

1. (1) No sports association shall use the name “Haryana” or the name of any district, or conduct any sports trials and tournament/event after the cancellation of its registration under this Act.
2. (2) No person or group of persons, either individually or collectively shall represent or be allowed to represent the State or any district, in any sports trials and tournament/event without being authorized by the registered State Level Sports Association or the District Level Sports Association, as the case may be.
3. (3) No sports association shall be entitled to use the description “Haryana” or use the name of a district as part of its name or undertake any sports trials and tournament/event which results in representing the State or a district, as an affiliated unit of any National Federation, Board, or Association purporting to represent India, or in any other manner whatsoever, unless such sports association is registered as a State Level Sports Association or a District Level Sports Association, as the case may be.

1. (1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend upto six months or with a fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both.
2. (2) If the contravention under sub-section
3. (1) is by a sports association, then all the office bearers of such sports association, shall be liable jointly and severally for the said offence.

No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act, except upon a complaint made in writing by the concerned Registrar or any other officer authorized by the Government.

1. (1) The Haryana Sports Registration Council and the Regional Sports Registration Council shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form and manner, as may be prescribed.
2. (2) Every sports association shall keep proper books of accounts i.e. cash book, ledger etc. with respect to,-
   • (i) all sums of money received and expended; and
   • (ii) the assets and liabilities.
3. (3) The Registrar or any officer authorized by them or any officer authorized by the Government may inspect the books of accounts.
4. (4) Every sports association shall get its annual accounts audited from an auditor who is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, constituted under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (Central Act 38 of 1949):

Protection of action taken in good faith No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything, which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or rules or regulations made thereunder.

The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.

No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie in any civil court, in respect of any dispute, question or other matter which is required by or under this Act to be determined by the Government, the Haryana Sports Registration Council and the Regional Sports Registration Council.

The Government may, from time to time, give such directions, in writing, as may be necessary, to the Haryana Sports Registration Council or the Regional Sports Registration Council for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.

Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, the Haryana Sports Registration Council and the Regional Sports Registration Council shall make regulations for carrying out the purposes of this Act with the approval of the Government.

1. (1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
2. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall, as soon as possible, after it is made, be laid before the State Legislature.

1. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty: Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of two years from the date of commencement of this Act.
2. (2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before the State Legislature.