Sports Bill is now an Act after President nod

NEW DELHI: The National Sports Governance Bill 2025, which the govt says is aimed at reforming the country’s sports administration and making national federations (NSFs) accountable, formally became an Act after receiving President Droupadi Murmu’s assent.

The legislation, along with the National Anti-Doping (amendment) Bill 2025, was passed in the Lok Sabha by a ‘voice vote’ on Aug 11. A day later, the two bills also cleared the Rajya Sabha hurdle following discussions before being sent to the President.

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“The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 18th of Aug 2025 and is hereby published for general information — the National Sports Governance Act, 2025,” a gazette notification by the govt stated. Now, the govt’s efforts will be directed towards establishing a National Sports Board (NSB), National Sports Tribunal (NST) and National Sports Election Panel (NSEP) for good governance in NSFs and achieving better results in sports. A key aspect of the Act, following amendments introduced by the govt, states that the proposed tribunal “shall not have jurisdiction to adjudicate any dispute or conflict arising during the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth and Asian Games, or any other similar events organised by any international federations”.

The tribunal will also not adjudicate “any dispute falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of the internal disputes’ resolution committee of a national sports body; or any other tribunal or court; or any international federation; or the Court of Arbitration for Sports established in Lausanne”. The Act says the tribunal will have the powers of a civil court and decide disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. Once instituted, the tribunal’s decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.