India’s Parliament on Tuesday passed two important bills that aim to overhaul the country’s sports administration: the National Sports Governance Bill and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill. The Rajya Sabha approved the bills just one day after the Lok Sabha, signalling swift political consensus on these landmark reforms. Both bills now await the President’s assent before becoming law.

The National Sports Governance Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework for sports bodies, introduce stricter accountability, and create dedicated mechanisms for resolving disputes. The Anti-Doping Amendment Bill reinforces the independence of India’s anti-doping agency, in line with global standards.

What does the National Sports Governance Bill propose?

1. Creation of the National Sports Board (NSB)

The NSB will have the authority to recognise or de-recognise National Sports Federations (NSFs). It can suspend bodies that fail to conduct timely elections or engage in electoral irregularities. It can also act against misappropriation or misuse of public funds by these bodies, but only after consulting relevant international federations.

The NSB will consist of a chairperson and members appointed by the central government through a search committee, which includes senior sports officials and eminent sportspersons.

2. Establishment of the National Sports Tribunal

To speed up resolution of disputes involving federations and athletes, the bill sets up a National Sports Tribunal. This body will have the powers of a civil court and its decisions will be final except for appeals to the Supreme Court. The tribunal aims to replace a backlog of over 350 court cases that currently delay sports governance.

3. National Sports Election Panel (NSEP)

The NSEP, composed of retired election officials, will oversee elections in sports bodies to ensure fairness and transparency.

4. Governance Reforms

The bill mandates a maximum of 15 members in the Executive Committees of federations, including at least two distinguished athletes and four women, pushing for greater gender parity and athlete representation.

It also limits office bearers to three consecutive terms (12 years) with an age cap of 70, extendable to 75 if allowed by international statutes.

5. Right to Information (RTI) Coverage

All recognised sports bodies dependent on government funding will fall under the RTI Act. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is mostly independent of government funds, will be under RTI only if it seeks government support.

6. Government Controls

Use of terms like "India" or "National" in sports body names requires government approval. The government may relax provisions or impose restrictions on national teams in extraordinary circumstances for public interest.

Why is the Bill being aeen as a major reform?

According to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the bill is "the single biggest reform in sports since independence." It promises transparency, faster dispute resolution, and an athlete-centred governance model.

Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha called the bill “a day of immense personal and national significance” that will bring “transparency, accountability, and gender parity” to Indian sports. Former All India Football Federation chief Praful Patel and several other sports leaders also welcomed the bill as a long-overdue legal framework.

The bill aligns with India’s ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games and improve its international sporting performance.

What are the concerns and opposition views?

Despite widespread support, the bill has not gone unchallenged. Opposition members in Parliament protested against unrelated issues like electoral roll revisions in Bihar, leading to a walkout during the Rajya Sabha session.

More specifically related to the bill, BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia raised concerns over the bill’s centralised approach. He argued the bill may undermine district and grassroots-level athlete development, saying, “The bill should empower, not control.”

Some sports administrators expressed reservations about the cap of 15 members in Executive Committees, suggesting it may limit representation in a large and diverse country like India. All India Tennis Association interim secretary Sunder Iyer noted, “Restricting the EC to 15 members will be tough to follow... this should have been looked into.”

What changes were made following criticism?

The bill was amended to reduce the mandatory term requirement from two tenures to one to qualify for National Sports Federation elections, allowing experienced leaders like P T Usha to seek re-election.

Regarding the BCCI, the bill was adjusted so the RTI Act applies only if the cricket board accepts government funding, easing concerns about unwanted government control.

The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill was also revised after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) objected to perceived government interference in NADA’s operations. The amended bill removes the National Board for Anti-Doping’s supervisory powers over NADA, ensuring the agency’s autonomy as demanded by global standards.

Success Factor

Once the President signs the bills into law, a gazette notification will formalise their implementation. The government plans to focus on a medal strategy to place India among the top 10 sporting nations within the next decade.

The National Sports Governance Bill establishes a framework aimed at bringing legal clarity, faster justice, and transparency to a sector long plagued by disputes and opaque administration.

Yet, the success of these reforms will depend on their implementation, with many stakeholders emphasising that good intentions alone are insufficient.