Union Sports Minister introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in the Lok Sabha. 

• The bill proposes a comprehensive overhaul of sports governance in India, including the creation of a National Sports Board (NSB) and National Sports Tribunal.
• Further, the Bill seeks to provide for recognition of national sports bodies and regulate their functioning.

Key Objectives of the Bill

• Establish a legal governance structure for all National Sports Federations (NSFs).
• Aims to align with global standards ahead of India’s bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics.
• Seeks to address factionalism, administrative disputes, and improve India’s sports performance.
• Ensures better athlete welfare and institutional efficiency.

Key Institutions Proposed

• National Sports Governing Bodies
  • The Bill proposes the creation of:
    • National Olympic Committee
    • National Paralympic Committee
    • National and Regional Sports Federations (for each sport)
  • These bodies will have affiliation with their respective international sports federations. They will also have affiliated state and district-level units.
  • Functions & Requirements:
    • Must set up internal committees and grievance redressal systems
    • Must follow a Code of Ethics for all stakeholders (athletes, coaches, sponsors, etc.)
    • Will be primarily governed by international charters, but the government can clarify rules if conflicts arise

Administrative Setup of Sports Bodies

Each national sports body will include:

• A General Body: Equal representation from affiliate members and select ex-officio members
• An Executive Committee: Up to 15 members, including:
  • At least 2 outstanding sportspersons
  • 4 women members
  • Age limits: Members must be 25–70 years (extendable to 75 years if allowed by international rules)
• Leadership Roles: President, Secretary General, Treasurer
  • To qualify, a person must be an outstanding sportsperson or have served at least two full terms on the executive committee
  • No one can serve more than three consecutive terms (in the same or different roles)
• National Sports Board (NSB)
  • The NSB will be established by the central government to:
    • Recognize and register national sports bodies
    • Suspend or cancel recognition if necessary
    • Issue guidelines for ethics and compliance with global standards
    • Inquire into issues like fund misuse, athlete welfare, and sport development
    • Create ad-hoc administrative bodies if international recognition is lost
  • Composition of NSB:
    • A Chairperson and other experts in fields like sports law, governance, and administration
    • Members will be appointed by the central government based on recommendations from a search-cum-selection committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary or Secretary, Sports.
• National Sports Tribunal
  • The Bill proposes a Tribunal to settle sports-related disputes (excluding certain cases like internal matters or international tournaments).
  • Tribunal Composition:
    • Chairperson: A sitting/former Supreme Court Judge or High Court Chief Justice
    • Two Members: Eminent persons from law, sports, or public administration
    • Appointments will be recommended by a selection panel comprising: The CJI or nominee, Law Secretary, Sports Secretary.
    • The tribunal will have civil court powers. Its decisions can be appealed in the Supreme Court, or in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Switzerland) if international rules require it.
• Election Oversight
  • A national panel of electoral officers will oversee elections of national sports bodies
  • Each sports body must also form an internal electoral panel to monitor elections of its regional affiliates
• Powers of the central government: The central government may exempt any national body or affiliate from parts of the Bill if it serves the public interest or promotes the growth of a specific sport.

Scope of RTI

• All recognised sports bodies, including BCCI, will come under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
  • BCCI, which recently became part of the Olympic movement, has historically resisted government oversight.
• Brings transparency and public accountability to sports governance.

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