New Delhi, Sept. 3 -- The Delhi High Court has set aside a single-judge direction requiring the All India Carrom Federation (AICF) to drop the word "India" from its name, holding that mere non-renewal of annual recognition could not automatically amount to withdrawal or de-recognition of a National Sports Federation.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the Sports Code prescribed a specific procedure for suspension or withdrawal of recognition, including notice, opportunity of hearing and a reasoned determination.

"In the absence of a notice, opportunity of hearing, reasoned determination and consequential order passed in accordance with the prescribed procedure, there can be n...