The long-anticipated National Sports Governance Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called it the “biggest reform in Indian sports since independence.” This milestone came amid opposition protests concerning the updating of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Lok Sabha also approved the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill when it reconvened at 2 PM after a brief suspension due to protests.
Mandaviya expressed, “This bill is crucial for accountability and smart governance in sports federations.” He noted its importance for India’s sports scene, emphasizing, “It’s disappointing that such a significant bill lacked support from the opposition.”
Despite the noise from opposition members, the bills were passed via voice vote before the House was adjourned until 4 PM. Earlier, the chairman of the parliamentary sports committee, Digvijaya Singh, asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the National Sports Governance Bill for further review and discussion before its parliamentary session.
Mandaviya explained that these two bills are pivotal for creating a “transparent and accountable sports ecosystem” in India, especially as the country prepares to bid for the 2036 Olympics. He shared a brief history of past efforts to draft similar legislation, highlighting the political hurdles that have hindered progress over the years.
The National Sports Governance Bill aims to establish a National Sports Board (NSB) for strict accountability. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) must be recognized by the NSB to access government funding. The NSB can revoke recognition from any national body that does not hold timely elections or mismanages funds.
One key element of the bill is the establishment of a National Sports Tribunal, which will have civil court powers to resolve disputes related to athlete selections and federation elections. Decisions made by this tribunal can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.
The bill also relaxes age restrictions for sports administrators, allowing those aged between 70 and 75 to run for elections if their respective international bodies permit it. This change differs from the previous national sports code, which set the age limit at 70.
In preparing for the 2036 Summer Olympics, the bill aims to improve India’s sports governance to enhance performance in international competitions. All recognized national sports bodies will now fall under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, a stipulation that the cricket board has opposed since it does not rely on government funds. However, the bill was amended so that RTI applies only to bodies receiving government support.
The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill seeks to make changes requested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which raised concerns about government influence over the Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Originally passed in 2022, the implementation was delayed due to WADA’s objections.
WADA contested the establishment of a National Board for Anti-Doping, which had the authority to advise the government on anti-doping regulations and oversee NADA. The revised bill retains the board but removes its oversight powers, affirming NADA’s independence in operations.
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