Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in the Lok Sabha, proposing the establishment of a National Sports Board (NSB) with sweeping powers to frame rules and oversee the functioning of sports federations, including the influential BCCI.
All recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the BCCI, will need to attain recognition from the proposed NSB to access central government funding or retain their official status.
Another major highlight of the bill is the establishment of a National Sports Tribunal, vested with the powers of a civil court, to adjudicate disputes involving team selection, internal elections and athlete grievances. Once instituted, the 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 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.
The legislation also proposes bringing all national sports bodies, including the BCCI, under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The cash-rich BCCI, long functioning autonomously, citing its financial independence from government support, could finally come under the ambit of government oversight for the first time, largely due to cricket’s inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Composition of NSB
The NSB will feature a chairperson and members appointed by the central government from “amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.” The bill states that appointees must have “special knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.”
According to the objectives stated in the bill, appointments will be based on recommendations from a search-cum-selection committee, as outlined in the final draft developed through stakeholder consultations and public input.
The selection committee will comprise Cabinet Secretary or Secretary of Sports as chairperson, Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two experienced sports administrators (having served as President, Secretary General, or Treasurer of a national body), and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, or Arjuna awardee.
“…there is a felt need for a comprehensive 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 stated.
“There is an imperative need to curb factionalism, and administrative interventions which adversely affects the organised development of sports and related activities in India and also for its better presentation before the international sports community,” it added.
The NSB will be empowered to de-recognise any national body for failing to hold timely elections or if found guilty of “gross irregularities in the election procedures.” It can also act against federations that do not publish audited annual accounts or are found to have “misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds” although such action would require consultation with the relevant international body.
Proposal to set up National Sports Election Panel
Additionally, the bill proposes a National Sports Election Panel, comprising former members of the Election Commission of India, State Election Commissions, or former Chief Electoral Officers, to ensure transparent and fair elections to the Executive Committees and Athletes Committees of national bodies.
“(They) shall act as electoral officers to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies,” the bill stated.
Mandaviya also introduced the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to address the concerns raised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over the 2022 legislation regarding undue government control over NADA.
The original act, passed in 2022, was stalled due to WADA’s objections to the creation of a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports, which was empowered to advise the government and oversee the functioning of the National Anti-Doping Agency. WADA viewed this as “government interference” in the operations of an autonomous body.
In the amended version, the Board has been retained, but its powers to oversee NADA and offer regulatory advice have been removed, bringing the bill in line with WADA’s global standards.