The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) on Tuesday directed the Anna University not to finalise results of the single window counselling for Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA 2013) under the Sports Quota until further orders.
Justice S Manikumar gave the interim direction on a petition filed by a throw ball player who was not called for the counselling for admission in engineering and medical courses.
Petitioner S Saranya from Srivilliputhur submitted that she has won in several tournaments in throw ball including at the national level. She had applied for the BE and MBBS admission under the Special Reservation for Eminent Sports Person (Sports Quota).
As per rules, she is entitled for 190 marks for winning a gold medal at the 22nd National Throw Ball Championship and 160 marks for winning silver medal at the 23rd National Throw Ball Championship. In all she is entitled to 730 marks under the sports quota.
Complying with a direction from the Anna University — the nodal agency for sports quota admissions — she had produced her original certificates for verification on June 14.
However, her application was rejected on the ground that throw ball is not recognised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Aggrieved by the stand of the university, she approached the court. Petitioner’s counsel contended that in the list of eligible for sports disciplines issued by the TNEA Secretary, throw ball was mentioned in serial number 44 of the schedule.
To prove her credentials, Saranya had produced certificates issued by the Throw Ball Federation of India, a body recognised by the Union Ministry of Sports and also by the IOA.
Passing interim orders, Justice Manikumar directed the Anna University Registrar, Higher Education Principal Secretary and TNEA Secretary to permit the petitioner to participate in the counseling under sports quota and to allot her the marks.