Andhra Pradesh Athletics Association vs Union Of India And Others

P C :

The present Writ Appeal, under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, has been preferred against the judgment and order, dated 16.09.2025, passed in W.P.No.25008 of 2025.

The dispute revolves around the eligibility of Mr. Kollu Sukesh - petitioner No.2, who wishes to participate in the athletic tournament being conducted at the national level in the U16 category.

According to the circular issued by the Athletics Federation of India, anybody born between 01.11.2009 and 31.10.2011 would be eligible to participate in the U16 category. This circular was subsequently stated to have been modified and anybody born between 12.09.2009 and 11.09.2011 was held eligible for participation in the national level competition in athletics. Even as per the circular issued by the Andhra Pradesh Athletics Association, anybody born between 15.10.2009 and 14.10.2011 would be eligible to participate in the U16 category.

The Writ Petition filed by the petitioner came to be disposed of by the learned single Judge by virtue of the judgment and order impugned, dated 16.09.2025, with a direction to the respondents to consider and permit Mr. Kollu Sukesh – petitioner No.2 to participate in athletic competitions in accordance with age criteria mentioned in circular, dated 04.09.2025.

The Andhra Pradesh Athletics Association, being aggrieved of the said judgment and order, challenges the same on the ground that the petitioner ought not to be permitted to participate inasmuch as he had created two identities reflecting two different date of births, one in which he reflected his date of birth as 18.12.2009 and the other as 18.10.2009.

It is stated that, in the meantime, the selection process had been completed by the Andhra Pradesh Athletics Association at the district level and selected the members to send them for participation at the national level and any compliance of the directions as issued by the learned single Judge would affect the performance as also the rights of those who already stood selected.

We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

It is not denied that the petitioner No.2 in the Writ Petition – Mr. Kollu Sukesh would be eligible to participate in the event of athletics at the national level as per the revised circular issued by the Athletics Federation of India, notwithstanding the fact that he had committed some error in reflecting his date of birth initially as 18.12.2009, which he subsequently rectified to 18.10.2009.

Having otherwise participated at the district level competitions, the petitioner cannot be denied his right of consideration for participation at the national level.

Having heard learned counsel for the parties at some length, we feel that no interference is warranted in the judgment and order impugned.

This appeal is found to be without any merit and is, accordingly, dismissed. No costs.

Consequently, connected miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall stand closed.