What Is National Sports Governance Bill? All You Need To Know About The New Bill

Last Updated:August 12, 2025, 20:00 IST

The Bill, which is set to become a law, aims to revamp and standardise India's sports administration, creating a clear framework for good governance in the NSFs and the IOA.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (X)

The National Sports Governance Bill, passed by both houses of Parliament, marks a significant step towards revamping and standardising India’s sports administration.

A day after Lok Sabha’s approval, the bill was cleared in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday following extensive discussion.

Here’s an overview of its key features, which aim to overhaul various aspects of sports governance and the grievance redressal system for athletes and administrators in the country. The bill now awaits the presidential assent to become an act, which is expected to happen soon.

Following this, the government will issue a gazette notification.

Age and tenure cap:

The bill sets a tenure limit of three consecutive terms, totalling 12 years, for the posts of President, Secretary General, and Treasurer in sports bodies. The age cap is set at 70, extendable up to 75 at the time of nomination if permitted by the international charter and statutes of the concerned sport.

The Executive Committee strength of a sports body is capped at 15 to ensure the financial burden on the federation remains manageable. The EC must include at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit and four women.

This provision aligns with the international push for gender parity in sports governance and making athletes prominent stakeholders in the decision-making process.

National Sports Board:

The National Sports Board (NSB) will have overriding powers to grant or suspend recognition of all National Sports Federations (NSFs) and even collaborate with international federations for athlete welfare.

The NSB will consist of a chairperson, and its members will be appointed by the central government from amongst persons of ability, integrity, and standing.

Appointments will be based on recommendations from a search-cum-selection committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports.

Other members of this panel will include the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have served as the President, Secretary General, or Treasurer of a National Sports Body, and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, or Arjuna awardee.

The Board can de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed gross irregularities in election procedures.

Failure to publish annual audited accounts or misuse, misapplication, or misappropriation of public funds will also invite suspension from the NSB, which must consult the concerned global body before proceeding.

Only recognised sports organisations will be eligible to receive grants or financial assistance from the central government.

National Sports Tribunal:

The Sports Ministry reports that over 350 cases are currently pending in various courts across the country, involving issues ranging from selection to election, hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs. The establishment of a National Sports Tribunal promises to resolve these issues, as it will possess all the powers of a civil court.

The Tribunal will consist of a chairperson and two other members. The head of the Tribunal will be a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.

Appointments will be made by the central government based on recommendations from a committee chaired by the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge recommended by the CJI, along with the Sports Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The central government can remove members in case of violations, including financial irregularities and actions prejudicial to public interest.

The Tribunal’s orders can only be challenged in the Supreme Court, ensuring that no lower court is involved in deciding sports-related disputes, thus making jurisprudence stable and faster.

Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the Tribunal’s decision, but the Supreme Court has the authority to decide if a filing can be made after the deadline.

National Sports Election Panel:

This panel will also be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of the National Sports Board. It will consist of retired members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission, retired Chief Electoral Officers of the states, or Deputy Election Commissioners with adequate experience.

The panel will act as electoral officers to ensure free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and Athletes Committee of the sports bodies.

The Board will maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel as prescribed.

RTI:

All recognised sports organisations dependent on government funding and support will fall under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with respect to their functions, duties, and powers.

This includes the BCCI, which, although not reliant on ministry funding, will come under the bill’s ambit. It must register as an NSF with the NSB, as cricket is set to debut as an Olympic sport in the 2028 Games in the T20 format.

Government’s discretionary powers:

Any sports organisation wishing to use the word “India," “Indian," “National," or any national insignia or symbols must obtain a No Objection Certificate from the central government.

The central government will have the power to relax any provisions of the bill if deemed necessary and expedient in the public interest.

Additionally, the government can issue directions to the National Sports Board or any other person or entity for the efficient administration of the bill’s provisions.

The government will also be authorised to impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team in extraordinary circumstances and in the national interest.

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First Published:

August 12, 2025, 20:00 IST

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