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Mahesh

04/08/25 09:27 AM IST

National Sports Governance Bill

In News 
  • The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha. 
  • The Bill, which is one of eight legislations listed for introduction in the ongoing Parliament monsoon session, seeks to regulate the various sports administrators in India.
National Sports body
  • Recognised sport organisations will be governed by newly established national sports bodies such as - National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, and National and Regional Sports Federations for each designated sport. Each national or regional sports federation will have international recognition by the concerned international sports governing body.
  • Each of the above national sports bodies will have a General body, a 15-member Executive Committee with at least four women members, an ethics Committee, a dispute resolution committee, and an Athletes committee.
  • Election to the executive committee for a four-year term is limited to Indian sportspersons above the age of 25 years but below 70 years. Persons between 70 and 75 years may contest elections, if permitted by bye-laws, and shall serve a full term.
  • The government can approve government servants to seek election in the above committee.
National Sports Board (NSB)
  • A National Sports Board (NSB) will be established, which has the powers to recognise, suspend or cancel registrations of sports organisations.
  • Its powers also include - conducting inquiry on matters affecting welfare of sportspersons, development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds 
  • issue guidelines for Code of Ethics by sport bodies, constitute administrative bodies
  • frame Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of women, minor athletes and others 
  • maintain roster of the National Sports Election panel which will oversee free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies.
  • The NSB will also collaborate with International and national sports bodies to ensure compliance with the international standards, protection of the rights of athletes and support personnel.
  • The board can suspend or cancel recognition of a sports body if its international recognition is suspended/cancelled, if it violates any part of this Act, if it has failed to hold elections, publish its annual audited accounts for misused, misapplied, or misappropriated any public funds.
  • No sports organisation will be recognised unless it is a registered society, an incorporated not-for-profit company or a registered trust.
  • The Centre is empowered to appoint officers and employees to discharge NSB’s functions.
Election panel and tribunal
  • A National Sports Election Panel comprising of retired Chief/State Election Commissioner and other such electoral officers will be constituted, and every sports organisation shall appoint an electoral officer from the panel to oversee its election process.
  • A three-member National Sports Tribunal will also be constituted, headed by a former judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, to ensure ‘independent, speedy and cost-efficient’ disposal of sports-related disputes.
  • The tribunal has powers similar to a civil court and can summon anyone under oath, seek evidence, documents of discovery, and public records from any office.
  • No civil court is allowed to hear pleas on matters in which Tribunal has jurisdiction.
  • All cases in which National Sports Bodies are parties and are pending before a District Court or High Court will be transferred to the Tribunal on a date specified by the Centre.
  • However, the Tribunal cannot adjudicate on disputes during events organised by International Federations such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games etc.
  • It also does not have jurisdiction on matters dealt with by the internal disputes resolution committee of a National Sports Body, other tribunals, any International Federation, or the Court of Arbitration for Sports.
  • It cannot adjudicate on doping-related disputes and involvement of International Charters and Statutes. Its verdict can be appealed to the Supreme Court after a thirty-day deadline.
Salient Features 
  • All sports organisations recognised by the NSB shall be considered as a public authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers.
  • Any sports organisation seeking to use the word “India” or “Indian” or “National” or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered name, operating name, logo, or otherwise must obtain a no-objection certification by the Centre. Upon suspension/cancellation of its registration, the sports organisation cannot use the name “India” or the name of any State or district in India, or conduct any sports trials, tournaments, or events.
  • The Board will maintain accounts, records, and prepare an annual statement which shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at any interval it seems fit.
  • The Centre has sweeping powers to make rules for modes of election to different sports bodies, membership to the Board, measures to ensure protection of rights and welfare of athletes, powers and functions of the Board, salary, qualification and term of various members elected to these bodies.
  • It is also empowered to relax eligibility criteria for members, impose restrictions on participation of any national team/sportspersons of a concerned sport in international sports competitions in the interest of national security, public order and safety.
  • Any action taken ‘in good faith’ by the Board or a National Sports Body or the Tribunal or any of their employee is protected from legal proceedings.
Source- The Hindu 

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