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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Government introduces two Bills in Lok Sabha, seeks to transform sports governance landscape
NEW DELHI: Keeping an eye on India's bid for the 2036 summer Olympic games, the govt on Wednesday introduced two sports related proposed legislations in the Lok Sabha. It includes the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 that proposes to institute a national-level Board which will have sweeping powers to lay down rules to ensure accountability and oversee the functioning of federations, including the cash-rich cricket body the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The other Bill - National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 - pertains to amending the existing legislation (National Anti-Doping Act, 2022) to make the country's law in sync with the international best practices and the World Anti-Doping Code. 'It is the endeavour of India to host major international sports events in the country and preparation for the same are underway. Also, as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation...,' said Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the National Sports Governance Bill's statement of objectives. Both the Bills were introduced in the House by Mandaviya in a din as the opposition members indulged in noisy protests against the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Besides having a provision of establishing a National Sports Board, the National Sports Governance Bill also provides for setting up a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court to dispose of sports related disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. There will, however, be a provision for appeal to the Supreme Court against any order of the Tribunal, unless the International charters and statutes provide for appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Once the Bill becomes a law, all recognised national sports bodies, including BCCI, will come under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005. The move has long been opposed by the BCCI since it is not dependent on government funding. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Bill also has provision of restricting the use of national name and insignia for any competition without obtaining necessary approval. Establishment of the National Sports Governing Bodies for the respective recognised sports organisations, and setting up a National Sports Election Panel consisting of former members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the executive committees and the athletes committee of the national sports bodies are other key provisions of the Bill. The other bill - National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 - seeks to incorporate the changes sought by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which had in the past objected to government interference in the functioning of the country's Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). 'It has been the constant endeavour of the government of India to strengthen the anti-doping framework and the amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 are proposed in keeping with the need to align the said Act with the international best practices and the World Anti-Doping Code,' said Mandaviya in the Bill's statement of objectives. The Bill also seeks to enhance institutional and operational independence of the National Anti-Doping Appeal panel and the National Anti-Doping Agency to ensure autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations and enforcement activities.


The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Mandaviya introduces sports governance bill for greater transparency in NSFs, including BCCI
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha that proposes to institute a Board which will have sweeping powers to lay down rules and oversee the functioning of federations, including the cash-rich BCCI. Mr. Mandaviya introduced the bill that has provisions for a National Sports Board (NSB) to create a stringent system of accountability. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) will have to attain NSB's recognition for access to central government funding. Another striking feature is the proposal for a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court and decide disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. Once instituted, Tribunal's decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. The bill makes some concessions on the issue of age cap for administrators by allowing those in the bracket of 70 to 75 to contest elections if the concerned international bodies' statutes and byelaws allow for it. It is a departure from the national sports code that capped the age limit at 70. '...as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major international competitions,' read the bill's statement of objectives. All recognised national sports bodies would also come under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, something that the BCCI has vehemently opposed since it is not dependent on government funding. 'Now we have to study the bill, and we will have to see if we need to place it before the Committee (Apex Council). We can only comment after that,' BCCI vice President and Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Shukla said outside the Parliament. 'Obviously BCCI members will study the bill and its clauses and if put forth to any committee, they will study and then we will see what needs to be done. We will also have discussions with the government,' he added. The ministry has insisted that the BCCI, which is now a part of the Olympic movement following cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angles Games roster, will have to comply with the provisions of the bill once it becomes an act. The NSB will comprise a chairperson and its members will be appointed by the central government from 'amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.' The Board's constituents will also be expected to possess 'special knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.' The appointments would be done based on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee, according to the draft bill that has been finalised after extensive consultations with stakeholders and public inputs. The selection committee would be made up of the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as chairperson, the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have each served as the President or Secretary General or Treasurer of a National Sports Body and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, or Khel Ratna or Arjuna awardee. '...there is a felt need for a comprehensive legislation to improve the governance of the sports bodies and achieve better results in sports and reduce the disputes and litigation, inter alia, involving sports federations,' stated the objectives of the bill. 'There is an imperative need to curb factionalism, and administrative interventions which adversely affects the organised development of sports and related activities in India and also for its better presentation before the international sports community,' it added. The NSB will have the mandate to de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed 'gross irregularities in the election procedures.' Failure to publish annual audited accounts or 'misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds' would also be liable for action by the NSB but it would be required to consult the concerned global body before making its move. The bill also provides for a National Sports Election Panel consisting of former members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission or former Chief Electoral Officers of the States or Deputy Election Commissioners. '(They) shall act as electoral officers to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies,' the bill stated. Mr. Mandaviya also introduced The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 that seeks to incorporate the changes sought by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which objected to 'government interference' in the functioning of the country's Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The act was originally passed in 2022, but its implementation had to be put on hold due to objections raised by WADA. The world body objected to the institution of a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports, which was empowered to make recommendations to the government on anti-doping regulations. The Board, which was to comprise a chairperson and two members appointed by the central government, was also authorised to oversee the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and even issue directions to it. WADA rejected this provision as government interference in an autonomous body. In the amended bill, the Board has been retained but without the powers to oversee NADA or the advisory role it was previously assigned.
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First Post
14 hours ago
- First Post
Sports minister introduces bill for greater transparency in sports governing bodies
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability within national sports bodies like the BCCI through a regulatory board. read more Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday introduced in the Lok Sabha a bill that seeks to bring in greater transparency in the functioning of national sports bodies, including the BCCI, by making them more accountable to a regulatory board. Mandaviya introduced the National Sports Governance Bill that has provisions for the establishment of the National Sports Governing Bodies such as the National Olympic Committee, the National Paralympic Committee, the National Sports Federation and the Regional Sports Federation, for the respective recognised sports organisations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Bill seeks to provide for the development and promotion of sports, welfare measures for sportspersons, ethical practices based on basic universal principles of good governance, ethics and fair play. It also has provisions for the resolution of sports grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and effective manner. Mandaviya also introduced The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 that seeks to incorporate the changes sought by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which objected to 'government interference' in the functioning of the country's Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).