New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Worried about the de-recognition of 54 National Sports Federations a year before the Olympics, All India Council of Sports president VK Malhotra has requested the Sports Ministry to appoint the Attorney General and immediately appeal in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court.

The Sports Ministry on Thursday withdrew provisional annual recognition granted to 54 NSFs on the directive of the Delhi High Court, which asked it to maintain status quo till further orders.

Also Read | Norwich City vs Manchester United, FA Cup 2019-20: Odion Ighalo, Jesse Lingard and Others Players to Watch Out in NOR vs MUN Football Match.

In a letter to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Malhotra on Friday said such a move, coming at a time when the sporting world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, can have an adverse effect on Indian athletes' preparation for next year's Olympics Games.

The veteran sports administrator pointed out that the Indian Olympic Association and the international federations have not withdrawn their recognition.

Also Read | Mohammed Shami Sprints With His Pet Dog Jack to Improve Running Speed (Watch Video).

"In view of this, I request you to appoint the Attorney General/Solicitor General to represent the case and immediately appeal in the High Court and Supreme Court to annul the High Court directive to withdraw the recognition to practically all sports federations in the country," Malhotra wrote in the letter.

The annual recognition makes NSFs eligible for government grants and assistance for training and competition.

"This (decision) will badly affect the preparation and training of sportspersons of all Olympics sports in India as the Sports Ministry grants funding and permission only to recognised NSFs for national camps and international tournaments," Malhotra added.

Sporting activities in India came to a standstill in March as the pandemic started to spread across the country.

"... Once sports resume and preparation for Olympics gets underway, the present standoff could delay administrative decisions and that in tun can hamper the training of athletes," Malhotra said.

The ministry's move came after the court in its order on Wednesday said that the ministry "shall issue a fresh notice within two days intimating all the 54 NSFs concerned that its order giving provisional renewal till 30.09.2020, stands recalled."

The ministry had earlier this month gave provisional recognition of 54 NSFs till September 30 instead of entire year.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)