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The Hindu
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
National Sports Governance Bill 2025: Is autonomy of sports bodies under threat?
Story so far: The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (July 23, 2025), minutes before being adjourned amid Opposition protests. The Bill, which is one of eight legislations listed for introduction in the ongoing Parliament monsoon session, seeks to regulate the various sports administrators in India. The Bill constitutes a National Sports Board (NSB) which will oversee all sports federations, including India's richest sports body – the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 'I did a series of consultations with NSFs, athletes, coaches, also got 600 inputs from the public when the draft was put online for suggestions,' said Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya ahead of the monsoon session. He added that international bodies like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA too were involved while drafting the Bill. However, two sports body which have opposed the Bill are BCCI and Indian Olympic Association (IOA), citing curtailing of autonomy. Here's a look at what the Bill entails and what is being opposed: National Sports Body Recognised sport organisations will be governed by newly established national sports bodies such as - National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, and National and Regional Sports Federations for each designated sport. Each national or regional sports federation will have international recognition by the concerned international sports governing body. Each of the above national sports bodies will have a General body, a 15-member Executive Committee with at least four women members, an ethics Committee, a dispute resolution committee, and an Athletes committee. Election to the executive committee for a four-year term is limited to Indian sportspersons above the age of 25 years but below 70 years. Persons between 70 and 75 years may contest elections, if permitted by bye-laws, and shall serve a full term. The government can approve government servants to seek election in the above committee. National Sports Board (NSB) A National Sports Board (NSB) will be established, which has the powers to recognise, suspend or cancel registrations of sports organisations. Its powers also include - (i) conducting inquiry on matters affecting welfare of sportspersons, development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds (ii) issue guidelines for Code of Ethics by sport bodies, constitute administrative bodies (iii) frame Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of women, minor athletes and others (iv) maintain roster of the National Sports Election panel which will oversee free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies. The NSB will also collaborate with International and national sports bodies to ensure compliance with the international standards, protection of the rights of athletes and support personnel. The board can suspend or cancel recognition of a sports body if its international recognition is suspended/cancelled, if it violates any part of this Act, if it has failed to hold elections, publish its annual audited accounts for misused, misapplied, or misappropriated any public funds. No sports organisation will be recognised unless it is a registered society, an incorporated not-for-profit company or a registered trust. The Centre is empowered to appoint officers and employees to discharge NSB's functions. Election panel and tribunal A National Sports Election Panel comprising of retired Chief/State Election Commissioner and other such electoral officers will be constituted, and every sports organisation shall appoint an electoral officer from the panel to oversee its election process. A three-member National Sports Tribunal will also be constituted, headed by a former judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, to ensure 'independent, speedy and cost-efficient' disposal of sports-related disputes. The tribunal has powers similar to a civil court and can summon anyone under oath, seek evidence, documents of discovery, and public records from any office. No civil court is allowed to hear pleas on matters in which Tribunal has jurisdiction. All cases in which National Sports Bodies are parties and are pending before a District Court or High Court will be transferred to the Tribunal on a date specified by the Centre. However, the Tribunal cannot adjudicate on disputes during events organised by International Federations such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games etc. It also does not have jurisdiction on matters dealt with by the internal disputes resolution committee of a National Sports Body, other tribunals, any International Federation, or the Court of Arbitration for Sports. It cannot adjudicate on doping-related disputes and involvement of International Charters and Statutes. Its verdict can be appealed to the Supreme Court after a thirty-day deadline. Other salient features All sports organisations recognised by the NSB shall be considered as a public authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers. Any sports organisation seeking to use the word 'India' or 'Indian' or 'National' or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered name, operating name, logo, or otherwise must obtain a no-objection certification by the Centre. Upon suspension/cancellation of its registration, the sports organisation cannot use the name 'India' or the name of any State or district in India, or conduct any sports trials, tournaments, or events. The Board will maintain accounts, records, and prepare an annual statement which shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at any interval it seems fit. The Centre has sweeping powers to make rules for modes of election to different sports bodies, membership to the Board, measures to ensure protection of rights and welfare of athletes, powers and functions of the Board, salary, qualification and term of various members elected to these bodies. It is also empowered to relax eligibility criteria for members, impose restrictions on participation of any national team/sportspersons of a concerned sport in international sports competitions in the interest of national security, public order and safety. Any action taken 'in good faith' by the Board or a National Sports Body or the Tribunal or any of their employee is protected from legal proceedings.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sports bill: Govt should guard against overreach
Secondly, the Bill would also bring the National Sports Board (NSB) under the ministry's scanner. The Board will have sweeping powers to recognise and monitor sports bodies. However, there's the risk of government overreach because the ministry is empowered to select the Board members. Then there is the matter of the government, which controls the source of funding and, to some extent, regulates sports bodies through the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Aligning with the sports code hasn't significantly changed the situation. A contentious issue relates to the recognition of an NSF. International Federation statutes and recognition govern them, and if an NSF has adequate funding, it can ignore any recognition issue. However, much debate centred on the BCCI's fate. The Bill has provisions that could allow BCCI to wriggle through, although technically it should follow the law of the land (and come under NSB). An argument in BCCI's favour is that it's a well-run, money-making organisation which, unlike other NSFs, doesn't depend on government funds. However, the sticky point is the BCCI's reluctance to be brought under the Right to Information Act. It is to be seen how the ministry handles the matter, given the cricket body's influence and reach. For now, the hope is that the sports bill ushers in positive change, discouraging government overreach, as India bids for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
National Sports Governance Bill: Will govt clean up federations including BCCI — or isthere a danger of overreach?
nearly a decade ago, when the Supreme Court was hearing the recommendations made by a panel led by Justice R M Lodha, set up by the Court to suggest reforms to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, then Chief Justice T S Thakur asked the BCCI a rhetorical question: 'Are you refusing to be reformed?' In the coming days, the cricket board could, again, face a similar question. For years, the BCCI has acted on its own on governance issues. Through the National Sports Governance Bill, which Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the government has shown a will to bell the cat. So far, the BCCI has resisted all attempts to bring it under government regulation. Its main argument has been that since it does not seek funding from the sports ministry, it isn't answerable to it. Unlike other sports, the cricket board, an autonomous body, isn't covered under the Right to Information Act, 2005. However, with cricket returning to the Olympics in 2028, it could be forced to align with other national federations and follow the standard good governance practices. The government aims to achieve this by bringing the BCCI under the National Sports Board (NSB), as the Bill envisages. The NSB will have sweeping powers to lay down rules and oversee the functioning of all federations — from unconventional games like atya patya to mainstream sports like cricket. Indeed, sports governance issues go beyond cricket. The Bill seeks to bring in legislation to improve 'the governance of the sports bodies and achieve better results in sports and reduce the disputes and litigation, inter alia, involving sports federations'. It relies on two main pillars — the NSB will be a SEBI-like body that will govern all sports, and the creation of a National Sports Tribunal, which will take the burden away from the lower courts and high courts. With the NSB, there are fears of government overreach and the question of appointing the right people, free of conflicts of interest or bias, to head the organisation. At the same time, there are concerns that the formation of the Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court and decide on disputes ranging from selection to election, could disenfranchise athletes and administrators of their right to approach the courts. Whether or not the government, through this Bill, succeeds in cleaning up the messy Indian sports administration depends on whether or not it manages to enforce its provisions in letter and spirit.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Mandaviya introduces Sports Governance Bill for greater transparency
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha that proposes to institute a Board which will have sweeping powers to lay down rules and oversee the functioning of federations, including the cash-rich BCCI. Mandaviya introduced the bill that has provisions for a National Sports Board (NSB) to create a stringent system of accountability. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) will have to attain NSB's recognition for access to central government funding. Another striking feature is the proposal for a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court and decide disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. Once instituted, Tribunal's decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. The bill makes some concessions on the issue of age cap for administrators by allowing those in the bracket of 70 to 75 to contest elections if the concerned international bodies' statutes and byelaws allow for it. It is a departure from the national sports code that capped the age limit at 70. '...as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major international competitions,' read the bill's statement of objectives. All recognised national sports bodies would also come under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, something that the BCCI has vehemently opposed since it is not dependent on government funding. 'Now we have to study the bill and we will have to see if we need to place it before the Committee (Apex Council). We can only comment after that,' BCCI vice President and Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Shukla said outside the Parliament. 'Obviously BCCI members will study the bill and its clauses and if put forth to any committee, they will study and then we will see what needs to be done. We will also have discussions with the government,' he added. The ministry has insisted that the BCCI, which is now a part of the Olympic movement following cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angles Games roster, will have to comply with the provisions of the bill once it becomes an act. The NSB will comprise a chairperson and its members will be appointed by the central government from 'amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.' The Board's constituents will also be expected to possess 'special knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.'
India Today
23-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Explainer: How the National Sports Governance Bill will impact Indian sports
The National Sports Governance Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and although it is still some time before it becomes an Act, the introduction itself is a landmark move to revamp and standardise India's sports takes a look at its salient features that promise to overhaul several aspects of sports governance and the grievance redressal system for athletes and administrators alike in the and tenure cap: The bill fixes the tenure limit at three consecutive terms adding up to 12 years for the posts of President, Secretary General and Treasurer in sports bodies. The age cap has been kept at 70, extending up to 75 at the time of nomination if permitted by the international charter and statutes of the concerned Executive Committee strength of a sports body has been capped at 15 to ensure that the financial burden on the federation is not high. The EC would be mandated to have at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit and four women in the provision is in line with the international push to ensure gender parity in sports governance and make athletes a prominent stakeholder in the decision-making Sports Board:The most talked about feature of the bill is the National Sports Board (NSB), that will have overriding powers to grant or suspend recognition of all National Sports Federations (NSFs) and even "collaborate" with the international federations for athlete NSB will comprise a chairperson, and its members will be appointed by the central government from "amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing."The appointments would be done based on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee, which would have the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as other members of this panel will be the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have each served as the President or Secretary General or Treasurer of a National Sports Body and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, or Khel Ratna or Arjuna Board has been empowered to de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed "gross irregularities in the election procedures."In addition, failure to publish annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" would also invite suspension from the NSB but it would be required to consult the concerned global body before a recognised sports organisation will be eligible to receive grants or any other financial assistance from the central Sports Tribunal:According to the Sports Ministry, over 350 cases are currently in progress in various courts of the country over issues ranging from selection to election, significantly hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs. The setting up of a National Sports Tribunal promises to end that for good as it would have "all the powers of a civil court."It will comprise a chairperson and two other members. The head of the Tribunal would be a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High appointments to this would also be in the hands of the central government based on recommendations of a committee that will be headed by Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge recommended by the CJI and comprise the Sports Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Law and central government will have the power to remove its members in case of violations, including financial irregularities and actions prejudicial to "public interest".The orders of this Tribunal would only be challengeable in the Supreme Court, which will ensure that no lower court would be involved in deciding disputes related to sports, making "jurisprudence stable and faster".advertisementThe appeal will also have to filed within 30 days of the tribunal's decision but the Supreme Court will have the authority to decide if a filing can be done on the expiry of the Sports Election Panel:This too shall be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of the on the National Sports Board. The panel will be made up of retired members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission or retired Chief Electoral Officers of the States or Deputy Election Commissioners, with "adequate experience".The panel will act as "electoral officers" to oversee the conduct of free and fairelections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the sports Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel, in such manner as may be recognised sports organisations will be covered under the Right to Information Act, 2005 "with respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers."This is likely to be the bone of contention between the ministry and the BCCI, which will have to register itself as an NSF with the NSB after cricket became an Olympic sport, set for debut in the 2028 Games in the T20 cricket board has vehemently opposed this aspect as it is not reliant on government funds for its functioning. It is highly unlikely that BCCI will discretionary powers:Any sports organisation wanting to use the word "India" or "Indian" or "National" or any national insignia or symbols will have to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the central central government, if it considers "necessary and expedient in the public interest, will have also have the power to "relax" any of the provisions mentioned in the addition, the government can also give such directions to the National Sports Board or any other person or entity for the "efficient administration" of the provisions of this government will also be authorised to "impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport" under extraordinary circumstances and in the national interest.- EndsMust Watch
