New Delhi, This time at the Asian Aquatics Championships, controversies have grabbed more headlines than the sport itself. The dispute that began on the third day of the event is now raising questions about the entire competition. Several countries have raised serious objections regarding the judges’ decisions and the judging process. Players and team management expressed particular dissatisfaction with the decisions in yesterday’s synchronized swimming and diving events.

During the ongoing Asian Aquatics Championship in Ahmedabad, India’s men’s water polo team has become embroiled in controversy. During the match, Indian players had the Indian tricolor on their swimming trunks (official swimming attire).

This has led to accusations of disrespecting the national flag. According to regulations, the flag should have been placed on the swimming cap.

Ministry and IOA Request Report The Sports Ministry and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have requested a report from the Swimming Federation of India (SFI). Officials stated that players should have placed the tricolor on their caps, not on their trunks.

Violation of Indian Law This controversy primarily relates to violations of India’s Flag Code 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971, which imposes strict rules regarding the respect and use of the national flag.

According to these rules:

  • Placing the national flag on clothing worn below the waist is prohibited.
  • Printing or embroidering the tricolor design on items such as undergarments, cushions, napkins, or handkerchiefs is illegal.
  • Dropping the flag on the ground or submerging it in water is also considered a disrespectful act.

What Does the IOC Charter Say? According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter, it is not mandatory for players or teams to display the national flag. This depends entirely on the preference of the players and their country.

What Do World Aquatics Rules Say? Defending themselves, SFI stated that they acted according to World Aquatics (formerly FINA) rules. According to these rules, you can place your country’s flag anywhere on your swimming kit. Meanwhile, according to the Indian constitution, the country’s flag and code can be placed on the swim cap in a size up to 32 square centimeters during tournaments.

It will now be interesting to see how the organizing committee resolves these controversies and whether any concrete steps are taken to restore fairness. This controversy at the Asian Aquatics Championship serves as a reminder that sports are not just a platform for talent, but also for honesty and transparency.

Asian Aquatics Championships

The Asian Aquatics Championships is a major continental swimming competition organized by the Asian Swimming Federation (AASF). It features events in all aquatic disciplines, including swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming. First held in 1980, the championships serve to promote aquatic sports and determine the top athletes in Asia.

Indian tricolor

The Indian tricolor is the national flag of India, featuring three horizontal stripes of saffron, white, and green, with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra in the center. It was officially adopted in its present form on July 22, 1947, during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly, just before India’s independence from British rule. The flag’s design is deeply symbolic, representing courage and sacrifice (saffron), peace and truth (white), and faith and chivalry (green), with the Ashoka Chakra denoting the eternal wheel of law.

Sports Ministry

The Sports Ministry is a government department responsible for developing and promoting sports and physical fitness at national and community levels. Historically, such ministries were established in many countries during the 20th century to improve public health, foster national pride through international sporting success, and organize major sporting events. They oversee national sports policies, funding for athletes, and the construction of public sports facilities.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is the governing body for the Olympic Movement and elite sports in India, founded in 1927. It is responsible for selecting Indian teams for the Olympic, Asian, and Commonwealth Games and works to promote and develop sports across the country.

Swimming Federation of India (SFI)

The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) is the national governing body for aquatic sports, including swimming, diving, and water polo, in India. It was established to develop, promote, and regulate these sports across the country. The federation organizes national championships, selects teams for international competitions, and works to improve the standard of aquatic sports in India.

Flag Code 2002

“Flag Code 2002” is not a place or cultural site, but a set of laws and regulations in India that govern the usage and display of the national flag. It was established to bring all existing practices and conventions into a single document, replacing the earlier Flag Code of India. The code provides guidelines for the correct display of the flag by civilians and institutions, and it was amended in 2002 to allow for more liberal and widespread use by the general public.

Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 is an Indian law that prohibits the desecration of or insult to the country’s national symbols, including the flag, constitution, and anthem. Enacted on December 23, 1971, its primary purpose is to safeguard these emblems and preserve the dignity and honor of the nation.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a non-governmental sports organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin. It is the supreme authority of the worldwide Olympic Movement, responsible for organizing the modern Olympic Games and promoting Olympism around the world.