Female badminton champion Neela Ahmed Najeeb has won the right to be reinstated in the national badminton team, after the Civil Court yesterday overturned the Badminton Association’s termination of Najeeb.
Chief Judge of the Civil Court Ali Sameer ruled that the Association’s termination of Najeeb on May 20, 2009, was against the Association’s own regulations, and ordered it to reinstate her within seven days.
Najeeb, formerly the only female badminton player on the national team, holds a string of championship medals and has competed in several international competitions. The 25 year-old was suspended from playing last year after clashing with her Indonesian coach, whom she alleged attempted to make her run for four hours as punishment for missing a training session – something she was physically unable to do at the time.
Najeeb and her lawyer Mizna Shareef of Shah, Hussein & Co, contended in court that Najeeb’s suspension contradicted the termination procedure of the Constitution of the Badminton Association, as she was not given a chance to defend herself.
“I think this must be personal – this is not what you do to an athlete. You don’t just terminate them,” Najeeb told Minivan News, in an earlier interview. “I think Maldivian players deserve better. If you have a problem with a coach, [sporting associations] are supposed to advise you – but the Badminton Association takes everything personally.”
“Our argument was that Neela’s termination contravened the Association’s constitution,” Najeeb’s lawyer Shareef said today. “They argued that Neela was not terminated but suspended, following a meeting in October. But we have letter from May saying she was terminated – you can’t suspend someone you’ve already terminated, and the court saw right through it.”
Shareef speculated that Najeeb’s case could be the first time a Maldivian athlete has successful contested a case against a sporting association.
President of the Badminton Association Ali Amir said he was unable to comment on the outcome of the case as he had yet to be informed of it.
Najeeb meanwhile said she was looking forward to competing in the Maldives International Challenge in June.
“I think things will be different from now on. I want to get back to the Association and see my next target,” she said.
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U make me v proud. Love u always
Congratulations...well done
Wow. So the country's judges have now become the master coaches in Badmington as well?? I didn't know that earlier that they are now able to select National team players and select pools for various national teams.. my god.. what a democracy we have??
Mirtha has got it right. This is becoming totally ridiculous. When sporting decisions are made in civil courts, imagine the consequences. Imagine the day, Supreme court convenes to select the national football team. The way we are going it is not far away.. These people have no idea I guess. May God save us from this ridiculous ways..
@mirtha and ibrahim...when associations fail to do their duties well then the higher authorities have to come into the scene. Where does the sports ministry come in this case? i have seen them supporting Neela and involve her in their various programs. If she is condemned by the association then the Ministry should know about it isn't it?
Mirtha and Ibrahim.
The courts are mandated to deliver justice. This is a case of someone who has been unfairly treated and she is fighting for her right. Where do you suggest Neela goes when the Association sidelined her.
The court is one of the institutes that protects democracy. This is totally right.
Divert,
I guess you have no idea of how the sporting fraternity operates. There are courts that deliver justice to such sporting issues. It is not the civil courts. I am totally for each and everyone getting their rights. But do it the way it has to be done. Look up best practice at established countries.
Ibrahim @ Mirtha don't understand the right of every athlete. If the boss decides unfairly the only available place to get justice is the civil court. Every one should get full justice enshrined in the constitution and by not having a certain court for sports is not an excuse to loose justice. This will make the associations more responsible in future decisions.