AJMAL RAHMAN A. Vs. SECRETARY GENERAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The captioned writ petitions are materially connected in respect of the Revised Eligibility Rules framed by the Association of Indian Universities for participation of students/athletes in National University Games, 2017-18 onwards, and therefore, I heard them together and propose to deliver this common judgment. In order to dispose of the writ petitions, I am relying upon the facts and documents available in W.P.(C) No.25058 of 2019, and the fate of the other writ petitions will depend upon the decision taken in the said writ petition.

(2.) The Association of Indian Universities has issued the Revised Eligibility Rules on the basis of the decision of the International University Sports Federation (FISU)(Federation Internationale Du Sport Universitaire). Apparently, FISU made amendments in the Rules in respect of age limit for participation of students/athletes in FISU Sporting competitions from 2017-18 onwards and accordingly, the new approved "Age Limit" from 17 to 25 years was made applicable for participation of Indian Universities contingent/teams in all the sporting events, including the discipline of Basketball organized by the FISU.Therefore, it was decided to implement the age limit from 17 to 25 years along with existing "eligibility conditions" put in place for participation of bona fide and full time (regular) students, for participation in National University Games from 2017-18 onwards along with additional terms and conditions.

(3.) The Regulations of FISU was made available to me at the time of hearing, and Clause 1.6 of the General Terms therein is relevant to the context, which deals with the age limit prescribed and which is a subject matter to be discussed in these writ petitions, in view of the challenge made against the Rules framed by the Association of Indian Universities. Clause 1.6 read thus: