Summary
- Bill introduces National Sports Board, Tribunal, and Election Panel for oversight
- Ensures gender parity, athlete representation, and transparency across sports bodies
- BCCI faces RTI inclusion and recognition challenges under new rules
A New Chapter in Indian Sports Administration
The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 marks a landmark shift in India’s sports ecosystem, aiming to restructure administrative frameworks with a focus on transparency, accountability, and athlete-centric governance. Introduced in the Lok Sabha, the bill proposes structural reforms that could redefine how sports federations function, with tighter oversight mechanisms and enhanced participation of athletes in decision-making. The bill sets forth the creation of the National Sports Board (NSB), which will hold overriding powers to grant, suspend, or revoke recognition of National Sports Federations (NSFs). It also mandates stringent eligibility conditions for key posts within sports bodies, enforcing both age and tenure limits to prevent administrative monopolies.
A significant thrust of the bill lies in empowering athletes by ensuring their direct representation within executive committees. For instance, every sports body will need to include at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit along with four women members, a step towards gender inclusivity.
Additionally, the bill proposes the establishment of a National Sports Tribunal to fast-track sports-related disputes under the supervision of the Supreme Court, streamlining conflict resolution. Recognised sports organisations will now come under the ambit of the Right to Information Act (RTI), a clause that could particularly challenge the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has historically resisted such scrutiny. With its wide-ranging reforms, the bill promises to professionalise sports governance while addressing systemic inefficiencies.
Overhauling Administrative Frameworks
- Age and tenure limits for key sports body officials
- Executive Committees capped at 15 members for efficiency
- Mandatory inclusion of women and athletes in decision-making roles
The bill introduces structural reforms to prevent concentration of power within sports bodies. The tenure for positions like President, Secretary General, and Treasurer will now be restricted to three consecutive terms or 12 years, whichever is earlier. An age limit of 70 years has been set, extendable to 75 if international sports statutes require it. The Executive Committee (EC) of any sports federation will be capped at 15 members, with at least four women and two sportspersons of high merit included. These changes align with global standards set by international sports bodies like the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which emphasize diversity and inclusion in governance.
These measures are designed to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and excessive financial burden on federations. They also ensure that the voices of athletes are integral to policy formulation, improving athlete welfare and fostering a performance-driven culture. This focus on inclusivity will likely encourage more female leadership in sports administration, which has been limited in India. By restricting tenure and enforcing age limits, the bill aims to end dynastic politics and entrenched power networks that have often hindered progress in Indian sports.
National Sports Board and Tribunal
- NSB gains authority over recognition and funding of NSFs
- Tribunal to fast-track disputes, with Supreme Court oversight
- Focus on transparency in elections and fund allocation
The National Sports Board (NSB) is set to be the apex authority for overseeing the functioning of sports federations. With members appointed by the central government through a search-cum-selection committee, the NSB will have the power to grant or suspend recognition of NSFs, depending on compliance with governance norms. Key triggers for suspension include failure to conduct fair elections, non-publication of audited accounts, or misuse of public funds. However, the NSB must consult international federations before taking action, ensuring that India remains aligned with global sporting standards.
Complementing the NSB, the National Sports Tribunal will address the backlog of over 350 ongoing sports disputes across India. With powers equivalent to a civil court, the tribunal will have a retired or sitting Supreme Court judge as its chairperson, supported by legal and sports experts. This tribunal will ensure swift resolution of disputes related to selection controversies, administrative elections, and athlete grievances, reducing the prolonged legal hurdles athletes currently face. Its decisions will only be appealable in the Supreme Court, ensuring stability in sports jurisprudence.
Elections, RTI, and Government Powers
- National Sports Election Panel to ensure fair elections
- All NSFs to come under RTI for transparency
- Government empowered to regulate national representation and insignias
A National Sports Election Panel, consisting of retired election commissioners and senior electoral officers, will oversee free and fair elections in sports federations. This mechanism aims to end manipulative electoral practices that have long plagued Indian sports governance. Moreover, by bringing sports organisations under the Right to Information Act (RTI), the bill ensures that financial dealings, selection policies, and administrative decisions are open to public scrutiny. This could prove contentious for the BCCI, which operates independently of government funding but may need to comply as cricket enters the Olympic fold in 2028.
The bill also grants the central government discretionary powers to regulate the use of national symbols, names like “India” or “National,” and to impose restrictions on national team participation in the interest of public policy. These powers, although broad, are intended to prevent misuse of national identity by unrecognised or rogue federations. However, they also raise questions about the extent of government intervention in autonomous sports bodies, which could become a point of debate during the bill’s passage.
A New Era of Accountability
The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 stands as a transformative policy that aims to create a balanced ecosystem where athletes, administrators, and the government share responsibilities. By prioritising transparency, gender parity, and athlete welfare, the bill seeks to dismantle outdated practices and inject professionalism into Indian sports administration. The creation of the NSB and Tribunal could significantly reduce governance-related conflicts, while RTI coverage ensures financial accountability. However, resistance from autonomous and wealthy bodies like the BCCI may pose challenges to full implementation.
If passed and effectively enforced, the bill could pave the way for a new era of sports governance that prioritises athlete interests and global competitiveness. For India, which aspires to emerge as a sporting powerhouse ahead of events like the 2028 Olympics, these reforms are both timely and necessary.
