IOC urges protection of sport’s autonomy after India’s new sports governance law

New Delhi: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has called for the autonomy of sport to be “protected” after India’s National Sports Governance Bill 2025 became an Act earlier this month. Reacting for the first time after the bill — which the govt says is aimed at reforming the country’s sports administration and bringing accountability into the national federations’ (NSFs) functioning — became law following the publication of a gazette notification by the Centre on Aug 18, the IOC reminded the Indian authorities that the legislation should comply with the statutes of the Olympic Charter.

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In a statement to TOI, the IOC’s spokesperson said the Olympic sports’ global governing body has been engaged in discussions with the relevant authorities in India over the framing of the Act's rules, which the govt aims to finish by the year-end. “The IOC is aware that the national sports governance bill in India has recently become an Act. We have noted the developments and have been discussing this with all concerned parties in India. The IOC is always ready to help and work constructively with the relevant govt authorities and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) with a view to ensuring that the autonomy of sport is protected, and that the framing of rules and regulations are compatible with the applicable rules of the Olympic Charter,” the IOC said. As per the Act, the govt will be establishing a National Sports Board (NSB), National Sports Tribunal (NST) and National Sports Election Panel (NSEP).