Latest news with #NationalSportsFederations
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sports Bill will bring transparency and reform to federations: Gagan Narang
New Delhi: Olympic medallist-turned-sports administrator Gagan Narang believes the National Sports Governance Bill will usher in much-needed transparency and reforms in the functioning of National Sports Federations (NSFs). Olympic medallist-turned-sports administrator Gagan Narang believes the National Sports Governance Bill will usher in transparency. (Getty Images) 'It's a forward-looking, futuristic bill that can significantly transform the sporting ecosystem in the country. It will help athletes perform better by allowing them to focus with the right mindset,' Narang told HT. A key feature of the Bill is the creation of a National Sports Tribunal, intended to resolve disputes involving federations. Currently, there are multiple sports-related litigations across various courts in India, which has become a major administrative bottleneck. 'The Bill will address all legal issues plaguing federations. Also, if an athlete has a dispute, there will be a resolution committee in place. That means athletes can focus on their sport without the burden of legal battles,' said Narang, the bronze medallist in 10m air rifle at the 2012 London Olympics. After a long decorated career where he won an Olympic medal, a World Championships medal (2010, Munich,) and secured multiple podium finishes at Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Narang has switched to sports administration. He serves as vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and is also a member of the IOA's Athletes' Commission. In addition, he is part of the Mission Olympic Cell, which approves programmes for the country's top elite athletes. Having taken on multiple roles in sports administration, Narang believes that most issues can be resolved with the right intent and perspective. With his growing experience, he is quickly developing key administrative skills. Narang emphasised that the Bill's transparency measures, including making NSFs accountable under Right to Information (RTI) Act, are a step in the right direction. 'The governance structure will be clearer and more accountable. Most importantly, disputes will no longer derail an athlete's career.' He acknowledged that implementing structural change at the federation level will be challenging, but necessary. 'The key is to establish a governance framework. Once that's in place, we can build around it. Change won't be easy, but it's crucial for the betterment of Indian sport. Implementing these reforms is a step in the right direction.' He welcomed the Bill's provisions for grievance redressal mechanisms and inclusion of athlete and women representatives in the executive councils of federations. 'Athlete representation on executive boards will ensure athlete-centric programs. Women's participation is vital too — not just athletes, but also women coaches and administrators. The grievance redressal mechanism will finally have a structured form.' 'The government is respecting the autonomy of federations while ensuring ethics, fairness, and accountability. It strikes the right balance between freedom and responsibility. Our sports minister (Mansukh Mandaviya) spent long hours with top federation officials to discuss India's sporting vision and it reflects the government's serious intent and commitment to long-term development in sports,' he added. Narang said the Bill could play a foundational role as India prepares its bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. 'This is our moment. The Bill provides a platform to build the kind of governance infrastructure needed to support our athletes and help them perform at their best on the world stage.' On the recent resolution of internal differences within the IOA, Narang expressed optimism. 'It's a very good restart. Whether it was the Asian Games, the successful conduct of two National Games, or preparation for the Paris Olympics — the IOA always presented a united front. There were never any differences when it came to sports and athlete development. Whatever minor differences existed have now been resolved.' 'A little difference of opinion is healthy in any democratic setup. Now it's time to move forward and focus on the work ahead of us.' As a member of IOA Athletes Commission, Narang is gearing up to launch various educational programmes for athletes.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
National Sports Governance Bill: Key features, what changes for bodies like BCCI
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha. The Bill proposes two major changes to the way sport is governed in the country. The first is the formation of a National Sports Board, which will have sweeping powers to lay down rules and oversee the functioning of federations, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The second is the constitution of a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court. The tribunal will decide disputes ranging from selection to election involving federatios and athletes. Aggrieved athletes and administrators will no longer be able to approach the lower or high courts. The tribunal, instead, will be their first port of redressal. And its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. In an interview with The Indian Express, eminent sports lawyer Nandan Kamath breaks down the key aspects of the Bill, explains its significance and underlines the aspects that may need some caution. Excerpts: Why do you think a Bill like this was needed and what is its significance? If you look back, the 2007 Draft Comprehensive National Sports Policy mentions the need for a sports regulator for India. The Bill now proposes a National Sports Board along these lines—a Sebi-type body to establish a unified national structure for sport. Many of the provisions and structures in the Bill owe their origin to the National Sports Development Bills drafted – but not passed – in the early part of the last decade. You can draw a straight line from these to significant portions of the Bill. With a National Sports Board, the regulatory capacity of the government in sports will increase. The institution will get a budget and can hire specialised staff with legal and auditing expertise, for instance, to evaluate how the 56 NSFs [National Sports Federations] and their affiliates are being run. I believe this is a significant step forward. About judicial intervention… In the absence of legislation, the Sports Code of 2011 has been the administrative instrument in place that established standards for the government's recognition of National Sports Federations. Without statutory backing and regulatory institutions in place this was always going to be a stopgap measure at best, and its implementation history has indeed been chequered. This regulatory failure led to extensive judicial intervention in the affairs of sports bodies, especially with many federations being obviously run quite poorly. However, many court cases have remained unresolved for years, other judgments have been walked back on by the courts themselves. There are numerous federations being run by ad-hoc bodies and almost every federation election is now challenged in court. I don't think this is sustainable. The end goal of judicial intervention is public interest. While cleaning the stables is a means, the desired end must always be healthier sports institutions. But now, we are presuming that the tribunal will stay independent and free of conflicts. You are right, many will say 'oh, not one more tribunal', when many of our tribunals have not been successful in India. While this is a first for India, standalone dispute resolution chambers and tribunals is the model that sport follows globally. Having time-bound procedures and sports-aware people in dispute resolution is preferable so as to keep sport healthy and moving forward. Of course, any tribunal will need well-qualified, independent-minded members. Is there a similar concern for the National Sports Board, where the presumption is that the right people will be heading it? The powers proposed to be vested in the Board have always been there with the Sports Ministry. I believe that having the Board as a statutory public institution with a defined role and obligations will increase public scrutiny and transparency over how these powers are exercised. On matters relating to how decisions relating to sports bodies are made, who is making them and the reasoning for them, there is no judge more powerful than public opinion. As the saying goes, sunlight is often the best disinfectant. For instance, if there is an allegation over the conflict of interest of a member of the Board, this will play out like it did in the Sebi Chairperson's case recently. The other type of public transparency is through information about sports bodies. Right now, it is not easy to identify the appropriate district sports federation for a particular sport that governs the entry point to sport for all of us. For someone who wants to play the sport competitively, for someone who would like to hold an event or sponsor or partner, there is often nowhere to go to determine which body to deal with. The Bill proposes that the Board will register all the affiliated units of the NSFs. This first step of 'governance through information' by the Board can then lead to 'governance through standard-setting' (like Sebi does with listing standards) and 'governance through framework alignment' whereby the system comes together to work in unison. There are concessions made to administrators over the age cap and tenure. What is the logic behind increasing the age limit to 75 and doing away with the tenure issue? The logic I have seen professed is that various concessions are needed to enable more Indian administrators to be represented on, and in leadership positions within, international sports bodies. It has been suggested that it takes time and experience to first understand the game of administration locally and then establish oneself in the international fora. Of course, such perceived benefits must be balanced with the obvious risks of entrenchment and institutional capture and it is important to tread carefully. I don't know what the government's formal stance is on this, but I did see reports that the intent is for the BCCI to also come under the ambit of the law. There is no exception really for the BCCI, though it has never been recognised as an NSF thus far. If the BCCI is also covered, its constitution will have to be brought in line with this legislation. One of the material changes there will be with the existing age and tenure clauses. The BCCI constitution has a maximum of three terms of three years each in the BCCI or a state association after which an office bearer cannot be elected again. Another question is whether the BCCI becomes an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) member given the inclusion of the sport in the forthcoming Olympics? Does the Bill disenfranchise the athletes of their right to go to the courts? According to the Bill, the first port of call for disputes is the internal dispute resolution chamber and then the tribunal in an appeal. As mentioned earlier, this is in line with international sports dispute resolution structures. For instance, in the FIFA system, all participants from players to clubs are barred from approaching the ordinary courts in any country. You have to use the FIFA or member association dispute resolution chambers, and appeals lie only to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A mature sports dispute resolution process is deliberately intended to be separate from the court structure. Keeping dispute resolution accessible, financially viable and fair to athletes will be a critical aspect of good governance.
India Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Explainer: How the National Sports Governance Bill will impact Indian sports
The National Sports Governance Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and although it is still some time before it becomes an Act, the introduction itself is a landmark move to revamp and standardise India's sports takes a look at its salient features that promise to overhaul several aspects of sports governance and the grievance redressal system for athletes and administrators alike in the and tenure cap: The bill fixes the tenure limit at three consecutive terms adding up to 12 years for the posts of President, Secretary General and Treasurer in sports bodies. The age cap has been kept at 70, extending up to 75 at the time of nomination if permitted by the international charter and statutes of the concerned Executive Committee strength of a sports body has been capped at 15 to ensure that the financial burden on the federation is not high. The EC would be mandated to have at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit and four women in the provision is in line with the international push to ensure gender parity in sports governance and make athletes a prominent stakeholder in the decision-making Sports Board:The most talked about feature of the bill is the National Sports Board (NSB), that will have overriding powers to grant or suspend recognition of all National Sports Federations (NSFs) and even "collaborate" with the international federations for athlete NSB will comprise a chairperson, and its members will be appointed by the central government from "amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing."The appointments would be done based on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee, which would have the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as other members of this panel will be 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 Board has been empowered to de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed "gross irregularities in the election procedures."In addition, failure to publish annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" would also invite suspension from the NSB but it would be required to consult the concerned global body before a recognised sports organisation will be eligible to receive grants or any other financial assistance from the central Sports Tribunal:According to the Sports Ministry, over 350 cases are currently in progress in various courts of the country over issues ranging from selection to election, significantly hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs. The setting up of a National Sports Tribunal promises to end that for good as it would have "all the powers of a civil court."It will comprise a chairperson and two other members. The head of the Tribunal would be a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High appointments to this would also be in the hands of the central government based on recommendations of a committee that will be headed by Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge recommended by the CJI and comprise the Sports Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Law and central government will have the power to remove its members in case of violations, including financial irregularities and actions prejudicial to "public interest".The orders of this Tribunal would only be challengeable in the Supreme Court, which will ensure that no lower court would be involved in deciding disputes related to sports, making "jurisprudence stable and faster".advertisementThe appeal will also have to filed within 30 days of the tribunal's decision but the Supreme Court will have the authority to decide if a filing can be done on the expiry of the Sports Election Panel:This too shall be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of the on the National Sports Board. The panel will be made up of retired members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission or retired Chief Electoral Officers of the States or Deputy Election Commissioners, with "adequate experience".The panel will act as "electoral officers" to oversee the conduct of free and fairelections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the sports Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel, in such manner as may be recognised sports organisations will be covered under the Right to Information Act, 2005 "with respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers."This is likely to be the bone of contention between the ministry and the BCCI, which will have to register itself as an NSF with the NSB after cricket became an Olympic sport, set for debut in the 2028 Games in the T20 cricket board has vehemently opposed this aspect as it is not reliant on government funds for its functioning. It is highly unlikely that BCCI will discretionary powers:Any sports organisation wanting to use the word "India" or "Indian" or "National" or any national insignia or symbols will have to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the central central government, if it considers "necessary and expedient in the public interest, will have also have the power to "relax" any of the provisions mentioned in the addition, the government can also give such directions to the National Sports Board or any other person or entity for the "efficient administration" of the provisions of this government will also be authorised to "impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport" under extraordinary circumstances and in the national interest.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt set to table National Sports Governance Bill 2025 in Parliament: BCCI to come under its scope
Live Events Recurring litigation related to NSF elections and athlete selections Absence of a dedicated dispute resolution body Weak athlete representation in governing bodies Gender imbalance in leadership roles Non-uniform electoral processes Financial opacity and mismanagement Lack of internal grievance redressal frameworks Court delays affecting sporting events No legal status for safe sport mechanisms Limited enforceability of existing code provisions Clarifying Misconceptions (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Central government is preparing to introduce the long-anticipated National Sports Governance Bill 2025 in Parliament on Wednesday. This landmark legislation is aimed at establishing a legal framework to ensure transparent and fair functioning of National Sports Federations (NSFs), while also enhancing athlete protection through safe sport protocols and grievance redressal bill seeks to promote sports ethics, safeguard athletes' interests, and resolve administrative disputes through a standardized governance structure for NSFs. In a parallel move, the government will also present the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. This amendment intends to align India's anti-doping laws with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and global norms. It will also ensure independence for both the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and the Anti-Doping Appeals Panel (ADAP).This legislative step marks a significant achievement for the BJP-led NDA government. The governance bill had earlier been returned twice by the Cabinet and once by Parliament due to lack of Brought Under the Governance UmbrellaOne of the most notable provisions in the bill is that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be recognised as an NSF, and thus be subject to the same governance framework. The BCCI, like all federations, will be required to seek annual recognition once the bill becomes law. All its ongoing and future legal disputes will be handled by the newly proposed National Sports Tribunal As per the bill, neither the BCCI nor its affiliated state associations will be allowed to approach courts directly in case of disputes. Post its scheduled elections in September, the board will have to apply for recognition from the upcoming National Sports Board, even though it does not receive government funding.A senior ministry official clarified: 'Like all NSFs, the BCCI will have to comply with the law of the land once the bill becomes an Act. The Board doesn't take ministry funding but an Act of Parliament applies to them. They will remain an autonomous body like all other NSFs but their disputes, if any, will also come to the National Sports Tribunal which will become the dispute resolution body for sports matters ranging from elections to selection. However, this bill does not mean govt control over any NSF. The govt will be a facilitator in ensuring good governance, not an enforcer.'Ten Core Issues AddressedThe bill is designed to tackle 10 persistent issues in Indian sports administration The Ministry has sought to clarify myths surrounding the bill, particularly fears of government interference. The official noted: 'The bill ensures autonomy while enforcing basic governance standards.'Age and Tenure Relaxation ProvisionsThe bill also addresses long-debated issues concerning age and tenure limits for office-bearers of NSFs. It allows officials—including presidents, secretary generals, and treasurers—to serve their full term even if they cross the age of 70 during their a person is elected to a position just before turning 70 (for instance, at 69 years and 364 days), they will be permitted to complete their full tenure, the bill proposes: 'The president, secretary and treasurer shall be eligible for election to the executive committee after a cooling-off period of one term, provided they have held the position for the last three consecutive terms. A term shall not be of more than four years which will be a total of 12 years (three terms of four year each).'A Step Forward in Indian Sports GovernanceThe introduction of this bill signals a transformative moment in Indian sports administration. It not only brings high-profile bodies like the BCCI under the governance net but also aims to institutionalize athlete-centric and transparent practices, paving the way for a more accountable sports ecosystem.[With TOI inputs]
News18
7 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Explainer: How the National Sports Governance Bill will impact Indian sports
Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) The National Sports Governance Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and although it is still some time before it becomes an Act, the introduction itself is a landmark move to revamp and standardise India's sports administration. PTI takes a look at its salient features that promise to overhaul several aspects of sports governance and the grievance redressal system for athletes and administrators alike in the country. Age and tenure cap: ============= The bill fixes the tenure limit at three consecutive terms adding up to 12 years for the posts of President, Secretary General and Treasurer in sports bodies. The age cap has been kept at 70, extending 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 has been capped at 15 to ensure that the financial burden on the federation is not high. The EC would be mandated to have at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit and four women in the ranks. The provision is in line with the international push to ensure gender parity in sports governance and make athletes a prominent stakeholder in the decision-making process. National Sports Board: =============== The most talked about feature of the bill is the National Sports Board (NSB), that will have overriding powers to grant or suspend recognition of all National Sports Federations (NSFs) and even 'collaborate" with the international federations for athlete welfare. 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 appointments would be done based on the recommendations of a search- cum-selection committee, which would have the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as chairperson. The other members of this panel will be 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. The Board has been empowered to de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed 'gross irregularities in the election procedures." In addition, failure to publish annual audited accounts or 'misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" would also invite suspension from the NSB but it would be required to consult the concerned global body before proceeding. Only a recognised sports organisation will be eligible to receive grants or any other financial assistance from the central government. National Sports Tribunal: ================ According to the Sports Ministry, over 350 cases are currently in progress in various courts of the country over issues ranging from selection to election, significantly hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs. The setting up of a National Sports Tribunal promises to end that for good as it would have 'all the powers of a civil court." It will comprise a chairperson and two other members. The head of the Tribunal would be a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court. The appointments to this would also be in the hands of the central government based on recommendations of a committee that will be headed by Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge recommended by the CJI and comprise the Sports Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice. The central government will have the power to remove its members in case of violations, including financial irregularities and actions prejudicial to 'public interest". The orders of this Tribunal would only be challengeable in the Supreme Court, which will ensure that no lower court would be involved in deciding disputes related to sports, making 'jurisprudence stable and faster". The appeal will also have to filed within 30 days of the tribunal's decision but the Supreme Court will have the authority to decide if a filing can be done on the expiry of the deadline. National Sports Election Panel: ==================== This too shall be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of the on the National Sports Board. The panel will be made up of retired members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission or retired Chief Electoral Officers of the States or Deputy Election Commissioners, with 'adequate experience". The panel will act as 'electoral officers" to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the sports bodies. The Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel, in such manner as may be prescribed. RTI: ==== All recognised sports organisations will be covered under the Right to Information Act, 2005 'with respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers." This is likely to be the bone of contention between the ministry and the BCCI, which will have to register itself as an NSF with the NSB after cricket became an Olympic sport, set for debut in the 2028 Games in the T20 format. The cricket board has vehemently opposed this aspect as it is not reliant on government funds for its functioning. It is highly unlikely that BCCI will agree. Govt's discretionary powers: ================== Any sports organisation wanting to use the word 'India" or 'Indian" or 'National" or any national insignia or symbols will have to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the central government. The central government, if it considers 'necessary and expedient in the public interest, will have also have the power to 'relax" any of the provisions mentioned in the bill. In addition, the government can also give such directions to the National Sports Board or any other person or entity for the 'efficient administration" of the provisions of this bill. The government will also be authorised to 'impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport" under extraordinary circumstances and in the national interest. PTI PM KHS PM KHS PM (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 14:45 IST News agency-feeds Explainer: How the National Sports Governance Bill will impact Indian sports Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
