Opinion Piece: Changing Scenario
The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 marks a significant shift in the regulation of sports bodies in India, introducing comprehensive reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness. The Act, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2025, establishes a National Sports Board (NSB) as an independent regulator with formidable powers, including the recognition or otherwise of sports bodies.
One of the key features of the Act is the introduction of a National Sports Tribunal (NST) to oversee and expedite the resolution of over 700 disputes. This tribunal, which operates with civil court powers, is expected to streamline conflict resolution outside traditional courts.
The Act also mandates term limits, age caps, and athlete and gender representation in governing bodies. For instance, the President, Secretary, and Treasurer of sports bodies can now serve until the age of 75, an increase from the previous 70 years. Additionally, sports bodies must have a general body including affiliates and an executive committee of up to 15 members, with minimum athlete and women representation.
The Act requires all recognized sports organizations receiving government grants to be covered under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. However, those not reliant on government funding, like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), are excluded from RTI obligations.
The BCCI, while enjoying certain immunities due to its funding independence, will face new governance standards like term limits and mandatory representation. The use of names or insignia such as “India” or “National” also requires prior government approval, preventing unauthorized international representation.
The Act raises concerns about potential excessive government interference in sports bodies. There are concerns that government appointees may undermine the running of sports bodies, which may be reflected in India's underwhelming performance in the Olympics.
However, the Act also aims to enhance fairness, athlete welfare, and transparency across Indian sports while allowing the government some supervisory control, balancing autonomy with accountability. Registering sports bodies under the Bill will create an inventory of information for the first time, providing a foundation for future reforms.
The pursuit of transparency in cricket should not disrupt professionalism, a maxim that applies generally. The controversies surrounding the appointments of office bearers in boxing, wrestling, and kabaddi federations are ongoing and are before the court. Meanwhile, cricket, governed by the BCCI, is a reasonably well-governed sport, but its finances remain a mystery. The global governance of sport, including football, is also having conversations about autonomy and accountability.
In essence, the Act codifies governance protocols to professionalize Indian sports administration, ensuring inclusion, ethical standards, and athlete protection while preserving certain privileges for bodies like the BCCI that are financially independent from the government. The Bill does not indicate, as of now, that it will not apply to the BCCI.
