The long-awaited elections for the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) are set to move forward, with the Delhi High Court stepping in to outline the road map for their conduct.
As per an order dated April 9, 2025, passed by Justice Mini Pushkarna, the process will begin on April 17, 2025, with all stakeholders required to submit their proposals for how the elections should be carried out.
The next key development will take place on May 9, 2025, when the High Court is expected to release comprehensive guidelines for the smooth and transparent conduct of the VFI elections.
This comes after consensus was reached among all parties — including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and representatives from VFI — that elections are indeed necessary to restore order and functionality to the governing body of Indian volleyball.
Court-Monitored Process to Ensure Transparency
The Delhi High Court has taken a central role in ensuring that the election process is conducted fairly. In its order, the Court noted that:
“Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, as well as the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, as well as the Volleyball Federation of India, are ad idem that elections to the Volleyball Federation of India are required to be held.”
This agreement among the parties allows the Court to take the next steps toward supervising the process.
Stakeholders have been asked to submit their respective proposals on April 17, following which the Court will assess and issue final directions on May 9.
The order also emphasises the need for all proposals to be comprehensive and shared with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to ensure alignment and transparency.
Indian Volleyball on the International Stage: Upcoming Calendar
While the administrative matters are being resolved, Indian volleyball has a packed international calendar, with three tournaments lined up in Uzbekistan, following the shift of the CAVA Men’s Nations League from Pakistan after India declined to travel there.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
- May 29 – June 4: CAVA Men’s Nations League (Uzbekistan)
- June 1 – June 7: CAVA Men’s U16 Championship (Uzbekistan)
- June 10 – June 16: CAVA Men’s U19 Championship (Uzbekistan)
These competitions present a vital opportunity for India’s national and age-group teams to gain valuable international exposure, even as the Federation undergoes its long-overdue transition.
What This Means for Indian Volleyball
The pending elections and the High Court’s direct involvement mark a pivotal moment for Indian volleyball.
The Volleyball Federation of India has faced administrative challenges in recent years, leading to calls for structural reform and greater transparency. The intervention by the Delhi High Court is widely seen as a step in the right direction to bring governance back on track.
With volleyball growing rapidly in South and Central Asia — especially through events like the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) tournaments — the timing couldn’t be more important. India needs a stable and active federation to build robust domestic programs, scout talent, and compete effectively on the international stage.
Once the guidelines are released a clear schedule for elections is expected to be laid out, potentially ushering in a new, more transparent leadership for Indian volleyball.
Stay tuned as the sport embarks on a new chapter — on court and in the boardroom.
