A.B.Vasekaran v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER This Writ Petition has been file for the following reliefs:- " directing the Respondents to sanction the High Cash Incentive and other benefits to petitioner for the Medals won during International and National Sports Events as per the Government Order in G.O. (Ms) No.18, Youth Welfare and Sports (S1) Development dated 29.07.2019 as well as G.O.

(Ms) No.83, Youth Welfare and Sports (S1) Development, dated 15.11.2023 based on petitioner application dated 05.12.2025."

¶2It is the case of the petitioner that he is a Kick Boxer and an active sportsperson from the year 2016. He has several medals to his credit in National and International Championships. The petitioner submits that the sport of Kickboxing has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee on

20.07.2021, and also by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, vide their letter dated 02.07.2021. The said letter clearly states that they have recognised the WAKO India Kickboxing Federation for the sport of Kickboxing as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for promoting its development and international participation. Page3 of 7

¶3It is also the case of the petitioner that the said sport has been recognised by the State of Tamil Nadu, which has included the same as a recognised sport by virtue of the letter issued by the 2nd Respondent dated

24.03.2022. The petitioner submits that he has participated in State-level, National-level, and International-level competitions from the year 2016 and has won several medals, which are listed as follows::- Level of the events played Year Position Cadet & Junior National Kick Boxing Championship, held at Pune, India 21st - 25th December., 2021 Place-1 – Gold Medal WAKO INDIA Children Cadet & Junior National Kickboxing Championship, held at Kolkata, India 19th – 23th July, 2022 Place-2 – Silver WAKO INDIA Children Cadet & Junior National Kickboxing Championship, held at Kolkata, India Junior National Championship 19th – 23th July, 2022 Place-1 – Gold World Children Cadets & Juniors

Kick

Boxing Championship, held at Italy 30th September - 9th October, 2022 Bronze Medal Senior

National Championship 2023 Bronze Medal Senior

National Championship held at Goa 2021 Bronze Medal Senior World Cup, held at Uzbekistan 24th - 29th September, 2024 Bronze Medal Page4 of 7

¶4Meanwhile, the 1st Respondent had issued G.O.Ms.No.18, Youth Welfare and Sports Development (S1) Department, dated 29.07.2019, sanctioning High Cash Incentive to sportspersons belonging to the State of Tamil Nadu who have won medals in National and International sports competitions. The petitioner would submit that he is therefore entitled to the said High Cash Incentive. In fact, earlier 53 sportspersons were recognised and awarded the High Cash Incentive vide G.O.Ms.No.83 dated 15.11.2023.

¶5The petitioner would further submit that, being similarly placed, he had made a representation dated 05.12.2025 to the respondents requesting them to sanction the High Cash Incentive for his achievements in the sport of Kickboxing. However, to date, the said representation has not been considered. Hence, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

¶6Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records.

¶7It is admitted that the petitioner is a kick-boxing champion who has won several medals in National and International competitions. The petitioner would rely upon G.O.Ms.No.18 dated 29.07.2019 to claim the High Cash Incentive, submitting that he falls under Part–3A of the Annexure thereto, which clearly states that the competitions mentioned in Parts 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4 of the Annexure are entitled to High Cash Incentives. Page5 of 7

¶8The learned counsel for the respondents sought to distinguish Part–3A of the Annexure, contending that it relates only to Chess and Powerlifting, and not to Kickboxing. However, it is seen that the Government has already granted High Cash Incentives to 53 sportspersons who had won medals in Kickboxing. The basis for awarding the High Cash Incentive was by relying upon G.O.Ms.No.18 dated 29.07.2019.

¶9G.O.Ms.No.83 dated 15.11.2023 begins with the following preamble:- "In the Government Order 1st read above, orders were issued for sanction of High Cash Incentive to the Sportspersons belonging to Tamil Nadu who won medals in the International and National Level Sports Competitions and their Coaches. Among other things, the High Cash Incentive for SAF Championship / Senior National Championship (held annually) and National Age Group Championship (held annually) in Sl.No. 16 and Sl. No.19 in part 1 of Annexure to the Government Order is as follows:" This Government Order further states as follows:- "The Government, after careful consideration, have decided to accept the request of the Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu to sanction a sum of Rs. 1,35,50,000/- (Rupees One Crore Thirty Five Lakh and Fifty Thousand Only) as High Cash Incentive to the 53 sportspersons who had won medals in Kickboxing National Championship 2022, subject to the condition that the Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu should ensure that the eligibility criteria stipulated in G.O.(Ms). No. 18, Youth Welfare and Sports Development (S1) Department, Page6 of 7 dated 29.07.2019 are fulfilled by the sportspersons before disbursement of High Cash Incentive and orders accordingly. The list of medal winners is annexed to this order."

¶10Therefore, in light of the Government recognising the sport of Kickboxing and having already sanctioned High Cash Incentives to 53 sportspersons, the 2nd Respondent is directed to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 05.12.2025, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶11Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands allowed. No costs. 06-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SHR To

¶1The state of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government, Youth Welfare and Sports Development (S1) Department, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai-600 009.

¶2Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Members Secretary / Chief Administrative Officer, Raja Muthiah Road, Periyamet, Chennai-600 003. Page7 of 7

P.T.ASHA, J. SHR 06-02-2026

Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA A.B.Vasekaran ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The state of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government, Youth Welfare and Sports Development (S1) Department, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai- 600 009. 2. Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Members Secretary / Chief Administrative Officer, Raja Muthiah Road, Periyamet, Chennai- 600 003. ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to sanction the High Cash Incentive and other benefits to petitioner for the Medals won during International and National Sports Events as per the Government Order in G.O. (Ms) No.18, Youth Welfare and Sports (S1) Page2 of 7 Development dated 29.07.2019 as well as G.O. (Ms) No.83, Youth Welfare and Sports (S1) Development, dated 15.11.2023 based on petitioner application dated 05.12.2025. For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.R.Jothimanian For Respondent(s): Mr.Yogesh Kannadasan, SGP for R1; M/s.N.S.Tanvi, Standing Counsel for R2.