Sports Bill will end stagnation; bring in transparency: PT Usha in Rajya Sabha
During the discussion on the bill, that was passed by Lok Sabha on Monday, Usha lauded its provisions including the setting up of a National Sports Board (NSB), which will have overriding powers to recognise sports federations (NSFs). Affiliation to the NSB would be mandatory for access to central funds.
The bill also proposes the National Sports Tribunal to deal with sports disputes and the National Sports Election Panel to oversee NSF polls.
'Today is a day of immense personal and national significance. I have long awaited this moment," Usha, who sat alongside another nominated member Sudha Murthy, said in her address to the House.
She had opposed the bill last year, describing it as government interference and warned that India might end up copping a ban from the International Olympic Committee. However, she has since revised her views after extensive consultations with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
'Let me take you back to 1984, I was just 20 when I missed an Olympic medal in Los Angeles. That day my heart broke… there was no comprehensive sports law to support the dreams that we carried in our hearts.
'Since then four decades passed, there was nothing done to address the stagnant status quo…Today the hope has transformed into action and legislation. It is a visionary and long overdue bill," she said.
'This bill will usher in transparency, accountability, and gender parity. It will empower athletes and build confidence among sponsors and federations. It is about justice and fair-play," she added.
Usha said the bill's thrust on creating a structured administrative set-up will be helpful for India's 2036 Olympics bid.
'This legislation comes at a time when India is dreaming big, dreaming for its rightful share in global sporting fraternity by hosting the 2036 Olympics. For Bharat, it is not just a bill, it is a clarion call for action," she said.
'This bill is a critical pillar of a grand vision. Let us see this as a moral promise, a promise that athletes will no longer be let down by an apathetic system. As someone who ran bare foot on clay tracks…I can say that this bill will change lives," she said.
She also backed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) bill which reasserts National Anti-Doping Agency's operation independence, while setting up a National Anti-Doping Board to advise on procedural issues.
'It is through such effective legislation that we can bring a new culture of clean sports. This bill will illuminate the athletes' path with clarity," Usha said. PTI PM AM PM AM AM
view comments
First Published:
August 12, 2025, 17:00 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Chinnaswamy Stadium set to lose Women's World Cup matches as KSCA under scanner for not getting police clearance
Bengaluru has been dealt a major setback ahead of the Women's World Cup, with the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium reportedly set to miss out on hosting matches for the marquee ICC tournament starting September 30, 2025. The Karnataka State Cricket Association is under the scanner as the failed to get the police clearance by August 10. An aerial view of M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.(PTI) According to a report on PTI, the BCCI had directed the KSCA to secure the required clearances by last Saturday, but local police officials confirmed that the process remains incomplete as of August 12. The report further suggested that the Greenfields Stadium in Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, has emerged as a possible alternative venue to host the matches scheduled in Bengaluru. M Chinnaswamy Stadium was originally set to host tournament's opening game featuring India on September 30. It is also the venue for four other matches between England and South Africa (October 3), India and Bangladesh (October 26), the second semifinal on October 30, and the final on November 2. The Karnataka government's tough approach has cast doubt over the city's future as a venue for major events, especially with the T20 World Cup scheduled for early next year and the IPL. The government recently denied permission for the Maharaja Cup, which was subsequently moved to Mysuru. The KSCA had to shift the ongoing Maharajah T20 Trophy to Mysuru even after deciding to conduct it behind closed doors at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The state body was forced to move the tournament after the one-man D'Cunha Commission deemed the Chinnaswamy Stadium "unsafe" for large-scale events. The state government appointed the commission to inquire into the stampede on June 4 here, in which people died and several others were injured during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory celebrations. According to ICC regulations, the host association must hand over the stadium to the global governing body at least 30 days before the tournament starts, with no other matches allowed during that window. Despite this, the Greenfields Stadium is slated to stage Kerala Cricket League (KCL) fixtures from August 21 to September 7. However, KCA officials remain optimistic that the T20 games can be shifted to an alternate venue if the World Cup fixtures are allotted to them. "We have backup venues, if the World Cup matches are shifted here. But as of now we are waiting for a final confirmation," sources close to the development told PTI.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Parliament clears Income Tax, Sports Bills amid Opp protest over roll revision, walkout
Parliament on Tuesday passed a new income tax Bill to replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act, 1961, and the landmark National Sports Governance Bill which will transform India's sporting landscape and make decision-making athlete-centric, before it took a five-day break and will reconvene on August 18. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, which reinforces NADA's autonomy as required by the World Anti-Doping Agency, was also passed by the Parliament. The two Bills now await the President's assent to be notified as Acts. Soon after Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya moved the Bills for consideration and passage in Rajya Sabha at 3 pm, there were protests from the Opposition over Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. The Opposition eventually staged a walkout led by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who demanded a discussion on the SIR. During the discussion, Mandaviya said that since sports is 'a public movement', its three major stakeholders — athletes, federations, and government — needed to have mutual coordination and transparency to convert talent of the nation's sportspersons into medals. The legislation, he said, would provide opportunities for athletes from all backgrounds, particularly the tribal community and women. The Bill seeks to establish 'a transparent system in sports, ensure women's participation, strengthen federations, bring good governance, and safeguard the interests of athletes'. The new Bill mandates that at least four members of the Executive Council must be women. 'We aspire to be in the first five positions in terms of medals, and for that, good governance in the sports sector is necessary,' Mandaviya said. During the discussion, BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia raised concerns about the centralisation of sports governance due to the Bill. He also felt that the Bill did not have clarity on district and block-level development of athletes. 'The Bill should empower, not control,' he said. Mandaviya said that the government is only seeking to be a facilitator. 'In this Bill, we are bringing transparency, not control, not interference. The government doesn't want to control. We are being supporters and providers of a structure,' he said. Piloting the Income Tax Bill, 2025, in Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it does not impose any new tax rate and only simplifies the language, which is required for understanding the complex income tax laws. The new Bill removes redundant provisions and archaic language and reduces the number of Sections from 819 in the Income Tax Act of 1961 to 536 and the number of chapters from 47 to 23. 'These changes are not merely superficial; they reflect a new, simplified approach to tax administration. This leaner and more focused law is designed to make it easy to read, understand and implement,' Sitharaman said while replying to a short debate in the absence of the Opposition. Along with the Income Tax Bill, 2025, the House also returned the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to LS that had passed these money Bills Monday. Soon after Rajya Sabha convened Tuesday, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said that the tax Bills had been included in the supplementary list of business and uploaded on the members' portal. Raising an objection, TMC MP Derek O' Brien said the important Bills, which had up to 500 amendments, were being listed at 11 am, when the House proceedings started for the day. He then raised the Opposition's demand for a discussion on the SIR but Harivansh said the Chair had already given a ruling on the matter. As the Opposition continued to raise its demand, the House was adjourned until 2 pm.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sports Bill not an intervention from the government: Mandaviya
New Delhi: The National Sports Governance Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Aimed at bringing reforms in sports administration and making sports bodies transparent, the bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Monday and all set to be notified as an act. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi. (Sansad TV) This is the first time that a legislation on sports has been framed in the country. Until now, the National Sports Code, 2011, along with various court orders on good governance, provided the legal framework for the national sports federations, IOA and other sports bodies to follow. However, it has long been felt that a single, comprehensive law, binding on all sports federations, is needed to streamline governance and bring transparency. The bill has divided opinions. Critics of the National Sports Governance bill have pointed out that the legislation is an attempt by the government to take 'control' of the sports federations which are 'autonomous' bodies and owe their allegiance to international sports federations and Olympic charter. Another fear expressed by some experts is that provisions of the bill like relaxing age and tenure restrictions of officials, will throw water on years of 'good governance' practices the top courts of the country have imposed on the federations. The NSFs get the majority of their funds from the government and that makes them answerable. Despite guidelines and directives of good practices, transparency and ethics enshrined in the Sports Code and court orders, federations are still not run professionally. Litigations related to elections, administrative wrongdoings, and even selection matters -- especially during major international events -- are so common that it has hampered governance of federations, eventually impacting athletes and India's chances. Allaying apprehension of government's interference in federation matters, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the upper house that the intention through this bill is to play a 'supportive role' so that Indian athletes can perform to their true potential and enhance the country's performance at the international level. 'Government has no intention to interfere in the functioning of sports federations. The National Sports Board (which will register sports bodies) will operate in an independent manner. All disputes will be taken up by the National Sports Tribunal and when elections happen in federations, the National Sports Election Panel will do a transparent election. There will be no intervention from the government,' said Mandaviya. The sports federations will have to align their constitution as per the legislation. 'This bill will usher in transparency, accountability, and gender parity. It will empower athletes and build confidence among sponsors and federations. It is about justice and fair-play,' said Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha, a Rajya Sabha member, during discussion on the bill. Usha said the bill will give a push to India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics. 'This legislation comes at a time when India is dreaming big, dreaming for its rightful share in the global sporting fraternity by hosting the 2036 Olympics. It is a clarion call for action,' she said. 'This bill is a critical pillar of a grand vision. Let us see this as a moral promise, a promise that athletes will no longer be let down by an apathetic system,' she said. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh felt this would lead to 'extreme centralisation'. 'The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 was bulldozed through the Lok Sabha yesterday (on Monday and will perhaps be subject to the same treatment in the Rajya Sabha today,' he said on X. 'The Bill will result in the extreme centralisation of sports administration. And, of course, the BCCI will get the most favoured treatment, not subject to any laws of the land like the RTI.' The challenge will be to implement the provisions in states and district level with sports being part of the state subject. All affiliate units of national sports bodies also have to be registered with the Board.
