The Supreme Court on Thursday said only sportsmen, not businessmen should head sports bodies.
"Politics has taken the game of hockey to abysmal low. Earlier India used to win gold medals but now we are struggling to qualify. Sports bodies should be headed by sports-persons...not by businessmen," Supreme Court said today.
The top court's observations were made during the hearing of two warring factions of hockey associations - Indian Hockey Federation and Hockey India.
Both associations have claimed that they represent Indian hockey.
The apex court also said politics was responsible for ruining hockey in the country.
"Politics has taken the game of hockey to an abysmal low," it said.
For the record, a majority of sports associations and governing bodies in the country are headed by businessmen and politicians.
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There has been a demand for qualified sportspersons to head these bodies.
Hockey India had approached the apex court two years ago. The Indian Hockey Federation, however, told the Supreme Court that the government has recognised them as Indian hockey's official representative.
The case is currently pending in the Supreme Court, and Hockey India is likely to file its response in second week of January.