India’s F1 push: Sports Ministry grants NSF status to motor-sport body FMSCI
FMSCI had applied for recognition on June 11 this year and the approval of its request means it will now be eligible for a financial grant from the ministry.
In the Ministry decision dated July 23, “…the request of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) for provisional recognition as National Sports Federation (NSF) was considered and it was decided to grant provisional recognition of FMSCI as NSF with effect from the date of publication of this letter.” The statement was included.
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The Ministry has asked the FMSCI, headquartered in Chennai and headed by Arindam Ghosh, to amend its constitution/Memorandum of Association (MoA) to comply with the provisions of the National Sports Governance Code and the rules framed therein within the stipulated timelines.
FMSCI has been in regular talks with the ministry not only on the issue of recognition but also to chart the way for the return of F1 to India.
To ensure recognition of the organization, which came into existence in 1971, the government relaxed some norms regarding the minimum membership of government units required for NSF status. The ministry also stated that it would revoke the recognition if the organization failed to comply with its guidelines regarding financial probity, anti-doping measures, management structure or misrepresented facts.
Last month, Sports Minister Manuskh Mandaviya had announced that a Task Force would be set up “as soon as possible” to assess the challenges and benefits of hosting major motorsport events here.
The Task Force will assess the economic, tourism and investment benefits of hosting major motorsport events in India and will also identify key priorities, infrastructure requirements and operational needs for sustainable development of the sector.
The Task Force will have representation from FMSCI, Ministry of Sports, state government (Uttar Pradesh in this case as Buddh International Circuit is in Greater Noida) and facility owners.
The minister is pushing for a Formula 1 race in India by 2028.
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India hosted Formula 1 from 2011 to 2013 before the race was dropped from the calendar for tax and financial reasons.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the huge interest in India but refrained from giving a timeline for its return, saying the right investment and people would be needed to make the plan work.
According to the statement made by F1 in December last year, the fan base of the sport in India was 79 million. In less than six months, this number increased to 98 million.
