The supreme court of India has rejected the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the lawyer Vishal Tiwari seeking directions to some concerned organizations like the union of India to announce hockey as the national sport of India. The apex court bench which was headed by Justice Uday Umesh Lalit took the decision along with the chaired Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice S Ravindra Bhat. But at the final decision, justice Uday Umesh Lalit rejected the plea to recognize hockey as India’s national game.
As lawyer Vishal Tiwari made the petition to make hockey a National sport. He also asked the court that “if a country can have a national animal, then why can’t the country have its national game?”According to the reports of Livelaw, this request provoked the supreme court to issue directions for the government so that they can have a development in athletic games and sports. This also provoked them to provide funds and advanced training to the players.
In further affirmations, the petition also added that India is a superpower in cricket but India also struggles in other areas. So by concentrating only on the cricket game, the game of hockey has gradually lost its popularity and also support from the Union Of India (UOI). While responding to this ad also while disagreeing with the petition Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, the presiding judge, said, “there should be a drive within people. Players like Mary Kom rise above all adversities. The court cannot do anything.”
Adding to this the bench also said that, “We won’t be able to do anything. You may withdraw the petition or we will dismiss it.” And expressed their reluctance towards entertaining the plea. Eventually, lawyer Vishal Tiwari withdrew the public Interest litigation (PIL).
The supreme court dismissed this plea to consider hockey as a national sport of India but the bench showed some agreement and also sympathy towards the lawyer but they were not able to give direct orders to the government in this regard.
But through this petition, it can be recognized that even though India is known as one of the greatest dominators of the game there is not able to receive any Olympic acknowledgment for more than 40 years. The petitioner also mentioned in his petition that India has not been able to win any more Olympic medals in the sport for the past 40 years. It was a really amazing moment when the Indian hockey team won a bronze medal for India in Tokyo Olympics 2020 but at the same time, it was also shocking to know that after 41 years India has won a medal in the game. But this wish of the game finally came to an end when the Indian hockey team won a bronze medal in Tokyo Olympics 2020 and thus brought a fresh wave in the Indian hockey world.
Lawyer Vishal Tiwari said, “the history of hockey in India has been a source of pride for the entire country. In sports, India has always been one of the greatest dominators of the game. However, it can be said with great misfortune that for 41 years India hasn’t received any Olympics accolades from the game of hockey. In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this time there was however a success to secure a bronze medal in hockey after 41 years”. Although the petitioner’s words were acceptable by the bench as the judge declined the petition they were not able to do anything for the petitioner.
