Transparency, Autonomy, Resolution: How The National Sports Bill Aims To Redefine Indian Sporting Scene
The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 aims to boost transparency, autonomy, and dispute resolution in Indian sports, aiming for top-10 Olympic status by 2036.
After years of planning, consultation, and global benchmarking, the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 is ready for introduction—poised to redefine the future of sports administration in India.
The bill, which Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will table in Parliament on Wednesday during the ongoing monsoon session, aims to instill transparency, fairness, and robust governance across the country's sports ecosystem.
A core focus of the bill is to ensure the independent and efficient functioning of national sports bodies, free from political interference. It brings these organizations under a unified regulatory framework while preserving their operational autonomy.
One of the bill's major provisions is the establishment of a Sports Tribunal—a dedicated body to resolve disputes between athletes, office-bearers, and sports federations. Though the judiciary retains ultimate review powers, the tribunal is intended to provide a faster, more specialized mechanism for conflict resolution.
Importantly, the bill also defers to the Olympic Charter in case of any policy conflict, reinforcing India's commitment to global standards of sport governance.
The legislation supports India's broader ambition to become a top-10 Olympic nation by 2036. To this end, it mandates athlete representation in every National Sports Federation (NSF), enforces international best practices for high-performance governance, and prioritizes merit-based selection processes—minimizing internal rifts that often hinder Olympic preparations.
Regular audits of NSFs will promote financial accountability and ensure optimal use of public funds allocated for elite sports development. The bill also lays down legal clarity around governance roles, enhancing India's credibility with bodies like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and boosting prospects for hosting future international events.
Athletes at the Center of Governance
Placing athletes at the heart of decision-making, the bill requires each NSF to form Athlete Committees and include Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) in their leadership structures. This gives athletes a direct role in shaping sport-specific policies and ethical standards.
The bill guarantees safe, harassment-free environments and establishes transparent, accessible grievance redressal mechanisms. It also aims to reduce career disruptions caused by drawn-out legal battles—creating a governance model rooted in accountability, athlete welfare, and inclusive administration across all levels of Indian sport.
(with IANS inputs)
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