Union Sports Ministry Orders Differently Abled Cricket Council to Remove ‘India’ from Official Title
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has issued a directive to the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) to cease using the terms “India” or “Indian” in its official nomenclature. The government cites the organization’s lack of recognition as a National Sports Federation (NSF) as the primary legal basis for this order.
Compliance with National Sports Federation Guidelines
In a formal communication addressed to DCCI Secretary Ravi Kant Chauhan, the ministry emphasized that the privilege of representing the country through the use of the national name is reserved exclusively for government-recognized federations. The directive relies on the National Sports Development Code guidelines, which regulate the governance of sports bodies in the nation.
According to the letter cited by news agencies, the ministry stated:
“It has come to the notice of this Department that the expression ‘India’ is being used by your Federation… despite the fact that the said Federation is not recognized as a National Sports Federation by this Ministry. It is hereby directed to desist from using the expression ‘India’ or ‘Indian’ in the name and/or any activities of your Federation.”
The correspondence warned that unauthorized use of these expressions could lead to legal action under extant rules.
DCCI Response and Appeal for Recognition
Ravi Kant Chauhan acknowledged receipt of the notice and indicated that the DCCI intends to seek official NSF status rather than change its identity. While the DCCI operates with the backing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the BCCI itself functions autonomously and is not a signatory to the government’s Sports Code.
“It is not just us but multiple sports bodies have been notified that they can’t use the word India since they are not Registered NSF,” Chauhan stated. “My plea to the ministry would be to accord us NSF status as we have been running Differently Abled Cricket in the country. We have organized World Cups, Asia Cups, national tournaments as well as bilateral series.”
Chauhan also noted the need for consistent application of these rules across other bodies, specifically mentioning the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and wheelchair cricket associations.
Regulatory Context and Other Federations
The crackdown on naming conventions extends beyond cricket. The ministry recently sent similar notices to the Women’s Football Federation of India and the Indian Body Builders Federation. A ministry source indicated that under the prevailing sports governance framework, bodies must seek recognition from the National Sports Board to secure the right to use the national identifier.
Simultaneously, the ministry withdrew recognition from the Taekwondo Federation of India and denied recognition to India Taekwondo. This decision followed directives from the Delhi High Court requiring both factions to prove their compliance with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports guidelines.
Recognition Status Overview
The following table outlines the current status of key bodies mentioned in the directive:
| Organization | NSF Status | Ministry Directive |
|---|---|---|
| Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) | No | Must drop “India” from name |
| BCCI | No | Autonomous (Supreme Court oversight) |
| Taekwondo Federation of India | Withdrawn | Failed to meet Sports Code criteria |
| Women’s Football Federation of India | No | Received notice to rename |
The ministry concluded that neither Taekwondo faction met the criteria prescribed in the Sports Code of 2011, leading to the rejection of their recognition claims.
For official guidelines on sports governance, refer to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.