WP/308/2026 of L. Pritam Chouhan, Vs Government of Telangana on 10 April 2026

ORDER:

The petitioner-Pritam Chouhan, represented by his mother, filed this writ petition seeking a direction to the respondents to conduct fresh tournament in the Category of Under-17 years of age, and 41-45 Kg weight, by giving an opportunity to the petitioner by annulling the selection insofar as Under-17 age,41-45 kg weight category.

2. Heard Mr. B. M. Patro, learned counsel for the petitioner, and learned Government Pleader for School Education. Perused the record.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the petitioner pertains to Under-17 age,41-45 weight category as per the measurements taken at the time of reporting for the competitions, however, he was wrongly forced to participate in the other category of 36-40 kg weight and that even if the petitioner becomes succeeds in that category he would be L, \ \I I

\ disqualified in the National Level Selection as his weight is 45 kg. lt is 1 alleged ttrat the State Level selection has not been done in a transparent manner.

4. Learned Government Pleader, based on the instructions dated 08.01 .2026 received from the Sports Authority of Telangana, would contend that the gretitioner has participated in School Games Federation District Level Selection Tournament in Karate on 0g.10.2025, at Ambedkar Stadium, Karimnagar, conducted by the School Games Federation of Telangana and that in the next tournament conducted on 28.12.202, the petitioner's name was found in the Category of Under-14 years of age, weight 36 to 40 Kg, instead of Under-17, weight 41-45 Kg category. lt is contended that the School Games Selections / Competitions are conducted by the School Games Federation at all levels in the State, and that either the Sports Authority of Telangana or the Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture, Sports Department has no role in the conducting of the Games.

5. A counter affidavit is filed by the Organizing Secretary School Games Federation, Peddapally District, essentially contending that the 69th State- Level Karate Under-17 Boys and Girls Competitions were organized by the School Garnes Federation of Peddapalli District at the RCOA Club in Godavarikh,ani lrom 27 to 2g December, 2025, and entries for all weight categories were accepted on 27th December, and thirteen boys from Karimnagar District participated in these competitions, and among them the wp_308_2025 N8X,l petitioner entered in the minus 40 Kg category. lt is contended that in the Selection List submitted by the District to the SGF Secretary of Peddapalli, player's weight was shown as minus 40 Kg, and the entry form also showed the same weight. lt is contended that neither the petitioner's parents nor his coach filed any complaint with the Organizers regarding the player being made to compete in a different weight category than the one he was supposed to be in, and his weight category is mentioned in the documents submifted by their district coach and managers. The organizers did not act with any bias or favoritism towards any playet selections were made based solely on the players' event, even competing in the dress round, and was defeated in the final round. lt is also contended that the office records revealed that the petitioner weighed around 39.8 kg (i.e., Under 40 Kg), as such he was permitted under the said Category as per Rules. lt is also contended that the petitioner was allowed to participate in Under-1 7 age category but he was not successful in the competition, as such he was not permitted to proceed further. lt is contended that the petitioner has neither given any complaint nor any request letter to the respondent authority, and further at this juncture, the National Competitions were closed on

02. o2.2026.

6. A reply affidavit is filed by the petitioner, in response to the counter affidavit of respondent No.3, denying the allegations in the counter and essentially contending that the respondent No.3 has tampered the weight document and other documents of the petitioner.

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7. Having considered the respective contentions and perused the record, considering the specific contention that the National Competitions have closerd on 02.02.2026, no direction could be issued to re-conduct the competitio'r for Under-17, weight 4'l-45 category. However, the respondent No.2-School Games Federation is directed to enquire the documentary evidence submitted by the petitioner with regard to his age and weight, and afford an cpportunity to him to participate in the upcoming competition under relevant category.

8. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Miscellaneous petitions, p{?nding if any, shall stand closed. sD ALLIKARJUNA RAO ISTANT REGIST I/TRUE COPY" SECTION OFFICER ./ Tourisria and Culture To,

1. The Special Chief SecretaV, Ygutit Advance (Sports) Department Secretariat Buildings' BSR gp Hyderabad, Government of Telangarta'

2. The Se<:retary, Schools, Games Federation Of Telangana State' O/o' commiss;ioner and Di;cto;-oi- schoot Education, saifabad, Hyderabad 500004.

3. The Sec;retary, District Schools Games Federation' Peddaplli Town and District, 1-elangana State'

4. The Secretary, Schools Games Federation' Organizing Committee for State ' iur"iOi f"fungan" State, Peddapalli District' Telangana State'

s. On" CC to SRI-B.M'PATRO, Advocate toP-qg]. ...

6. Two CCs to Gp FoR Sctiooil-oubnflofu, High Court for the State of Telangana at HYderabad [OUTj

7. Two CD CoPies

t CC TODAY HIGH COIJRT 10t0412026 WP.No.308 o12026 DISPOSING OF THE WRIT PETITI T=Li .rr. 2 2 l?il 2[?6 !(.) * * =i n c rl