National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: ET
Context: The Central Government introduced the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha to overhaul India’s sports administration framework.
• It aims to replace the 2011 Sports Code with a legally enforceable, athlete-centric governance system, bringing bodies like BCCI under its ambit.
About National Sports Governance Bill, 2025:
• What is the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025? The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 is a landmark legislation aiming to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in National Sports Federations (NSFs). It introduces legal safeguards for athletes, standardized elections, grievance redressal, and institutional oversight.
• The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 is a landmark legislation aiming to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in National Sports Federations (NSFs). It introduces legal safeguards for athletes, standardized elections, grievance redressal, and institutional oversight.
• Key Features of the Bill:
• Legal Status to Governance Norms: Converts previously executive guidelines into binding law, ensuring enforceability across NSFs and sports bodies. BCCI Under Governance Framework: BCCI to be recognized as an NSF, requiring annual recognition and resolution of all disputes through the National Sports Tribunal. Statutory Institutions Introduced: National Sports Board (oversight and compliance) National Sports Tribunal (dispute resolution) National Sports Election Panel (election integrity) Inclusive Representation Mandated: Executive bodies must include minimum 4 women and 2 elite athletes, enhancing gender and athlete participation. Age and Tenure Reforms: Officials under 70 can complete their term; 3 consecutive terms of 4 years allowed with 1-term cooling-off. Safe Sport Mechanism & Athlete Protection: Provides legal backing to safe sport protocols, internal grievance systems, and athlete welfare provisions. Ban on Court Litigation: NSFs and BCCI cannot directly approach courts and disputes must go to the National Sports Tribunal.
• Legal Status to Governance Norms: Converts previously executive guidelines into binding law, ensuring enforceability across NSFs and sports bodies.
• BCCI Under Governance Framework: BCCI to be recognized as an NSF, requiring annual recognition and resolution of all disputes through the National Sports Tribunal.
• Statutory Institutions Introduced: National Sports Board (oversight and compliance) National Sports Tribunal (dispute resolution) National Sports Election Panel (election integrity)
• National Sports Board (oversight and compliance)
• National Sports Tribunal (dispute resolution)
• National Sports Election Panel (election integrity)
• Inclusive Representation Mandated: Executive bodies must include minimum 4 women and 2 elite athletes, enhancing gender and athlete participation.
• Age and Tenure Reforms: Officials under 70 can complete their term; 3 consecutive terms of 4 years allowed with 1-term cooling-off.
• Safe Sport Mechanism & Athlete Protection: Provides legal backing to safe sport protocols, internal grievance systems, and athlete welfare provisions.
• Ban on Court Litigation: NSFs and BCCI cannot directly approach courts and disputes must go to the National Sports Tribunal.