The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, is a groundbreaking reform initiative aimed at revolutionizing sports administration in India. It introduces legal accountability and brings the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, marking a significant milestone in sports governance.
Background of the Bill
The need for governance reforms in Indian sports has been long recognized. While National Sports Federations (NSFs) were brought under the RTI Act in 2010, the BCCI remained outside its scope. However, with T20 cricket set to feature in the 2028 Olympics and India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics, aligning sports bodies with international standards has become imperative.
Significance of the Bill
The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aims to enhance transparency and accountability, particularly within influential bodies like the BCCI. By subjecting the BCCI to the RTI Act, the government seeks to ensure transparency in its operations, crucial for a body central to national cricket team selection and fund management.
Objectives and Key Highlights
- Legal recognition of all sports federations under a unified framework.
- Institutional reforms for enhanced accountability and reduced litigation.
- Creation of a National Sports Tribunal for timely dispute resolution.
- Alignment of sports administration with Olympic Charter principles.
- Facilitation of India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics through improved governance.
Key Features of the Bill
- BCCI to be recognized as an NSF and brought under RTI Act provisions.
- Increased upper age limit for sports officials to 75 years, benefiting current administrators.
- Establishment of a National Sports Board (NSB) with regulatory powers.
- Inclusion of athlete representatives, women, and merit-based sportspersons in governing bodies.
- Creation of a National Sports Tribunal for dispute resolution with Supreme Court as the appellate body.
- Monitoring of elections by a National Sports Election Panel comprising retired senior officials.
- Implementation of a maximum of 15 executive members and three-term limits for top officials with a cooling-off period.
Anticipated Impact
The enactment of this bill will significantly enhance transparency within sports federations, particularly benefiting the BCCI by aligning it with public accountability norms. It aims to improve athlete representation, gender equality, and governance standards, ultimately elevating India’s stature in the global sports arena.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, is a critical reform initiative to enhance transparency and accountability in sports administration in India.
- Bringing the BCCI under the RTI Act is a major highlight of the bill, ensuring public scrutiny of the board’s operations.
- The bill aims to improve governance standards, athlete representation, and gender balance within sports bodies, aligning with international norms.
- Implementation of the bill is expected to boost India’s global image in sports, crucial for future endeavors like hosting the 2036 Olympics.
