HC rules for boxing events to benefit under 14 boys – The Week

Chennai, Sep 11 (PTI) The Madras High Court has directed the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CICSE) to allow boys below 14 years of age, who participated in the above 50 kg weight category, to participate in the upcoming CISCE National Boxing Championships.
The event is scheduled to take place on September 13, 2024 in Jharkhand.
Justice M. Dhandapani recently passed such an order while allowing a petition filed by 13-year-old Alberich Abhay AAS, a class eight student, who was denied permission to participate in boxing in the under-14 category because he weighed more than 50 kg.
The judge admitted that the applicant was about 13 years old, studying in class VIII of a private secondary school in Adyar town and was a boxer.
Last year, the petitioner had participated in the CISCE National Boxing Championship held in Ranchi and had won a silver medal. Now, the petitioner’s weight was over 50 kg. Even though he was selected for the competition, he could not participate in the CISCE National Boxing Championship just because the particular weight category was not available, the judge added.
Referring to the CISCE Games & Sports rules and regulations, particularly Clause 5, the judge said that on perusal thereof, even a 14-year-old girl is eligible to participate in the championship if her weight is above 50 kg. However, a boy of the same age was not given the same benefit, which was discriminatory and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
Except the said weight category for boys under 14 years, all other categories which were available for boys and girls were available. Failure to provide the same was discriminatory and violates Article 14 of the Constitution and such discrimination cannot be allowed to continue, the judge added and set aside the circular dated March 26, 2024 issued by CISCE under CISCE Games & Sports – Rules & Regulation 2024 in the form of a handbook in respect of the boxing event to be held on Friday.