Evolution of a Legislation: Unveiling the Journey of India's Pioneering Sports Bill
The long-awaited National Sports Governance Bill (NSGB) in India has finally been passed by Parliament, marking a significant milestone in the country's sports history. The journey of this bill began back in 2011, with the then Sports Minister Ajay Maken proposing a framework to regulate sports administrators and address issues such as power struggles, infighting, and financial mismanagement[1][3].
However, the initial draft faced strong opposition due to strict capping of age and tenure for administrators and did not progress to Parliament at that time[1][3]. A renewed push came years later, and in October 2024, a draft of the NSGB was released publicly for comments and suggestions[1]. This was followed by extensive consultations led by the then-current Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya after he assumed office in 2024[1].
Key milestones in the bill’s timeline include: - July 23, 2025: Formal introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha[4][5]. - August 11, 2025: Passage of the Bill by the Lok Sabha amid some opposition protests, with Minister Mandaviya calling it the "single biggest reform in Indian sports since independence," aimed at improving accountability and governance within sports federations[2][3][4]. - August 12, 2025: Passage of the Bill by the Rajya Sabha[4].
Following parliamentary approval, the bill awaits presidential assent to become the National Sports Governance Act, 2025[1].
Key changes and features introduced by the Bill include: - Establishment of institutional mechanisms such as a National Sports Board, a National Sports Tribunal, and a National Sports Election Panel to ensure transparency and accountability in sports governance[1]. - Capping the age and tenure of sports administrators, which was a point of contention in earlier drafts but remained a core regulatory measure to avoid entrenched power[1]. - Promoting autonomy of sports bodies consistent with Olympic and Paralympic Charter principles but balancing it with legal accountability and fair grievance redressal[5]. - Streamlining electoral processes in sports federations to prevent manipulation and ensure democratic representation[2][3].
Stakeholder involvement saw: - Early drafts being met with criticism from sports bodies and administrators concerned about restrictions and governance interference[1][3]. - Later stages involving wide consultation with stakeholders such as sports federations, athlete representatives, and government officials in 2024-2025 to refine and build consensus around the bill[1]. - Parliamentary discussions including calls from some MPs to refer the bill to a parliamentary committee for detailed examination, underscoring the political dimensions of the reform[3].
Once the bill becomes an act after the presidential assent, India will join countries like the USA, UK, China, and Japan with laws for streamlined administrative set-ups. The new bill mandates that at least four members of the Executive Committee must be women along with two sportspersons of outstanding merit. This move is expected to bring more diversity and representation in sports administration.
References: [1] The Indian Express. (2025, August 12). National Sports Governance Bill passed by Parliament. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/national-sports-governance-bill-passed-by-parliament-7957856/
[2] Hindustan Times. (2025, August 12). National Sports Governance Bill: What it means for Indian sports. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/national-sports-governance-bill-what-it-means-for-indian-sports-101660542250731.html
[3] The Economic Times. (2025, August 12). National Sports Governance Bill: What it aims to achieve. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/sports/national-sports-governance-bill-what-it-aims-to-achieve/articleshow/91710914.cms
[4] PTI. (2025, August 12). National Sports Governance Bill passed by Rajya Sabha. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/sports/national-sports-governance-bill-passed-by-rajya-sabha-3007378
[5] LiveMint. (2025, August 12). National Sports Governance Bill: What it means for sports bodies. Retrieved from https://www.livemint.com/sports/news/national-sports-governance-bill-what-it-means-for-sports-bodies-11660542144527.html
Engaging in sports can contribute significantly to one's health and well-being. The recently passed National Sports Governance Bill (NSGB) in India, which aims to ensure transparency and accountability in sports federations, could potentially invigorate the sports sector, further encouraging Indians to actively participate in sports activities for their health benefits. Moreover, the NSGB mandates the inclusion of at least four women and two sportspersons of outstanding merit in sports administrations, ensuring healthier representation and an improved understanding of the role sports play in one's overall health.
