New Sports Bill Lowers Eligibility Rule To Single Term In EC For NSF Leadership Aspirants

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 13:03 IST

The National Sports Governance Bill specifies the criteria for seeking the positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer in NSFs.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya says the amendment ensures a bigger competitive field of administrators. (PTI photo)

Aspirants for the top positions in national federations will now be required to serve just one term in the Executive Committee, a change from the previous “overly restrictive" rule of two terms. The Sports Ministry aims to encourage “younger administrators and athlete-leaders."

The National Sports Governance Bill, passed by Parliament last week and pending presidential assent, specifies the criteria for seeking the positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer in National Sports Federations (NSFs).

Initially, it mandated two terms in the Executive Committee for those aspiring for the top three posts. However, this provision was amended to require a minimum of one term after consultations with stakeholders.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in an interview with PTI following the bill’s passage, stated that the amendment provides the needed balance to ensure a larger pool of competitive administrators.

“The decision to reduce the minimum prior term requirement for federation elections was guided by the principle of broadening the pool of eligible and capable candidates, while still ensuring they have sufficient experience to serve effectively," he explained.

“Several stakeholders, including athlete representatives and smaller federations, noted that overly restrictive eligibility rules tended to entrench incumbents and limit opportunities for fresh leadership," Mandaviya highlighted.

The relaxation allows current Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P T Usha and All India Football Federation chief Kalyan Chaubey to seek re-election if they choose. Both have served one term in the Executive Committees of their respective organisations.

The revised provision also allows presidents, secretaries, and treasurers in state bodies to vie for leadership roles in the NSFs, broadening the competitive field during elections.

The Minister stated that reducing the minimum term requirement in the EC would ensure a wider talent base is available without compromising principles of continuity and experience.

“In some cases, talented administrators and former athletes with strong governance potential were unable to contest because they had not served a full earlier term on the Executive Committee. The amendment strikes a balance by retaining an experience requirement to preserve continuity and institutional memory, but lowering the threshold so that federations can draw from a wider range of candidates, including younger administrators and athlete-leaders," he said.

“This change is intended to encourage new perspectives, foster healthy competition in leadership contests, and reduce the concentration of power that often comes from closed eligibility rules," he added.

The sports bill, which had been pending for over a decade, was finally passed after extensive consultations over one year.

It not only establishes governance criteria but also mandates the creation of a National Sports Tribunal for speedy dispute resolution. Additionally, it calls for the creation of a National Sports Election Panel to oversee NSF elections, which are often controversial.

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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First Published:

August 18, 2025, 13:03 IST

News sports New Sports Bill Lowers Eligibility Rule To Single Term In EC For NSF Leadership Aspirants

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