A group of school students in Delhi has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection from the worsening winter pollution that they say is putting their health at risk. The students, many of whom compete at state and national levels, are asking the court to halt outdoor sports events during the months of November to January, a period when Delhi’s air quality typically plunges into the most toxic categories of the year.
The petition, filed through their parents, argues that children are routinely required to attend zonal tournaments, trials, school championships and coaching camps even as the Air Quality Index reaches levels considered hazardous by global health standards. These young athletes say that every winter Delhi enters a predictable public health emergency, yet sports calendars remain unchanged, forcing children into prolonged outdoor activity at the very time when breathing the air is most dangerous.
At the heart of the plea is a concern that children represent one of the most vulnerable groups affected by toxic air. Doctors have repeatedly stated that developing lungs are far more sensitive to pollution and that exposure to high particulate matter can have lasting health consequences. The petition refers to scientific evidence and previous court observations acknowledging that Delhi experiences a yearly cycle of severely polluted winters, driven by factors such as low wind speeds, crop burning, industrial emissions and vehicular pollution.
Despite the well documented pattern, students say authorities continue to hold major outdoor tournaments during these winter months. Many parents have highlighted that fixtures are often non optional, making participation mandatory for students who want to maintain sporting rankings or represent their school or district. For children preparing for state or national selection, skipping an event is usually not an option.
The petition warns that exposure to hazardous winter air can reduce lung development, trigger asthma, lower immunity, impair cognitive ability and place acute stress on the cardiovascular system. Children who participate in running, football, hockey and athletics inhale higher volumes of air during physical exertion, which increases the amount of pollutants entering the lungs. The plea argues that this makes winter tournaments not just unsafe but legally questionable given that the Constitution protects a child’s right to life and good health.
The students have urged the court to direct the Directorate of Education and the School Federation of India Games to revise the annual sports calendar. They want outdoor sports events to be scheduled during months when Delhi’s air pollution is relatively lower. According to the petitioners, the calendar can be shifted without compromising competition standards, as many other states conduct school championships outside peak pollution periods.
When the plea was filed, Delhi was already under GRAP III restrictions and was at risk of escalation to GRAP IV, the emergency stage where most outdoor activities are halted. The petition states that continuing to hold children’s tournaments under such conditions contradicts the spirit of these emergency rules. It also points out that several schools have already cancelled morning assemblies and reduced outdoor classes due to alarmingly high AQI levels, which makes the continuation of competitive sports even more concerning.
Parents involved in the petition have said this is not merely about one season but about recognising the long term impact of repeatedly exposing young athletes to polluted air. Some have also raised concerns that many students experience breathlessness, coughing and headaches during winter training sessions and yet are encouraged to continue because of competition pressure.
Environmental experts have noted that the issue raised by the students is timely and significant. Every year, authorities release advisories urging citizens to reduce outdoor exposure, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses. Yet sporting bodies have often continued with their schedules, citing lack of alternative months or delays in national events.
The petition presents the High Court with an opportunity to address a gap in policy. While the city has detailed frameworks like GRAP to manage pollution, there are no clear guidelines for sports scheduling during toxic air periods. Advocates argue that the absence of such guidelines puts children at unnecessary risk and contradicts advisory messages issued by the government itself.
The matter is likely to prompt a wider conversation about how Delhi should balance sporting development with environmental safety. For many families, sports are not just extracurricular activities but critical pathways to scholarships, university admissions and future careers. The aim of the plea is not to stop sports but to ensure that competitions do not take place during the most hazardous months of the year.
As the court prepares to hear the matter, parents across the city are watching closely. Whether the High Court issues directives or asks authorities to review scheduling practices, the case has already drawn attention to a growing concern. In a city where winter pollution has become a seasonal crisis, students are now asking why they must risk their health in order to chase their sporting dreams.
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